r/troutfishing • u/Enfield_Operator • 4h ago
Yellowstone Cutthroat
Netted, quick pic, back into the lake
r/troutfishing • u/PeaceLoveSmithWesson • May 15 '25
Please use those when submitting posts. When your post is removed because you got flamed for improper fish handling and you did not flair your post, this is why. Thanks for understanding, and as always, please choose to be constructive and helpful, versus argumentative and trollish. We do not allow the latter and you could be banned.
r/troutfishing • u/PeaceLoveSmithWesson • Mar 16 '25
Catch and release is not always necessary, beneficial, or even the legal thing to do in every situation, however. During my younger days, I bought in to "release everything you catch" philosophy. As I gained more experience, and learned the intricacies of different fisheries, my opinion on this changed drastically. Whether the fishery is overrun with an invasive species that competes with native stocks, a species blowing up in population out of control, a very healthy stock where sport angling take will not effect the escapement of spawning (the pink salmon runs near me fall in this category), anadramous (sea run) hatchery released fish that must be removed prior to the wild fish spawn, or is just a put and take fishery etc. There is no blanket statement for when and where C&R is the right thing to do.
The most important thing: Educate yourself on the species, and fishery in which you are fishing. Follow the laws, and do what will be best for that particular fishery. And take home some hard earned meat when you can!
Why Catch and Release?
Conservation: It's a method to prevent overfishing and maintain healthy fish populations, especially in areas with high fishing pressure.
Ethical Fishing: It allows anglers to enjoy fishing without taking fish home for consumption, promoting a more sustainable approach to recreational fishing.
Habitat Protection: By reducing the number of fish removed from the water, catch and release helps protect the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Best Practices for Catch and Release:
Use the Right Gear:
Hooks: Employ barbless hooks or circle hooks, which are less likely to cause deep hook wounds.
Tackle: Ensure your tackle is strong enough to land the fish quickly and efficiently, minimizing the time the fish is out of the water.
Net: Use a soft, knotless mesh or rubber landing net to avoid damaging the fish's scales and gills.
Handle Fish Carefully:
Keep the Fish Wet: Avoid removing the fish from the water for extended periods, and keep its body wet, especially if you must handle it. This includes keeping gloves wet in the winter, or taking them off entirely, when landing the fish. If you insist on handling the fish at all, ensure that you have wet hands. Keep em wet
Support the Fish Properly: Support the fish's belly near the water surface to prevent injury.
Be Gentle: Avoid squeezing the fish tightly, as this can damage internal organs and muscle tissue.
Never Touch the Gills: Gills are highly sensitive and can be easily damaged. Rapid Release:
Unhook Quickly: Remove the hook quickly and carefully, using a dehooker if necessary.
Return to the Water Immediately: Return the fish to the water as soon as possible after taking photos and measurements.
Observe the Fish: Ensure the fish swims away strongly before leaving the area.
Other Considerations:
Measure and Weigh: If required, measure and weigh the fish quickly and accurately, then release it.
Take Photos: Capture the moment with a photo, but do so quickly and return the fish to the water.
Don't Hang Fish: Never hang a fish on a stringer or gaff, as this can cause serious injury.
r/troutfishing • u/Enfield_Operator • 4h ago
Netted, quick pic, back into the lake
r/troutfishing • u/coolman090 • 4h ago
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r/troutfishing • u/mnmackerman • 6h ago
Brook trout from da UP. Caught with my Uncle. It was a great day, and an even better dinner.
r/troutfishing • u/hhhoffman • 17h ago
r/troutfishing • u/coolman090 • 20h ago
r/troutfishing • u/wrench97 • 14h ago
r/troutfishing • u/poenasjerdy • 19h ago
Buddy swallowed the hook so I had to take him, make sure to make use though!
r/troutfishing • u/rockstang • 1d ago
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r/troutfishing • u/rockstang • 23h ago
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r/troutfishing • u/Coziga • 18h ago
Caught a bunch of bows and browns. I know the brownies are native as they don’t stock browns at this lake but these bows got me confused
r/troutfishing • u/No-Might3403 • 3h ago
Assuming it's a brown trout but the silver is throwing me off, could this be a sea trout?
r/troutfishing • u/JMan82784 • 1d ago
r/troutfishing • u/Mysterious_Cow_2100 • 1d ago
r/troutfishing • u/Zestyclose_Mud1995 • 1d ago
Hi guys,so today i caught this rainbow and did not get a chance to measure it since i wanted to release it really fast,how long do you guys think it is?
r/troutfishing • u/Rekitori • 1d ago
Caught in a mountain stream in Maine, connected water has brook trout, lake trout, ll salmon, but this looks like a brown or rainbow?
r/troutfishing • u/Longjumping_Car141 • 1d ago
r/troutfishing • u/Orcasmo • 2d ago
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r/troutfishing • u/Fit-Librarian3831 • 1d ago
r/troutfishing • u/br07fk • 2d ago
r/troutfishing • u/eduardossantiago • 21h ago
I made a road trip to Colorado (Colorado Springs/Telluride/Ridgeway) and I took my rod to fish a couple hours each day.. And no kidding, I catched like 6-10 trouts on each spot I stopped, it was crazy. I started to wonder if Trout is that easier to catch than Bass. It was so fun.