andycrash77

FYI: I found this on the NYDEC site. Catching and Releasing Trout Today's anglers can take simple steps to improve the quality of future fishing. Some anglers practice catch-and-release fishing all or much of the time, while others release only sub-legal (undersize) trout. The guidelines below are intended to help anglers reduce mortality of trout that are released. How many of the measures are you using? handle fish as little as possible and release them quickly - do not fight fish to exhaustion minimize or eliminate the time fish are out of the water - as little as 30 seconds of air exposure causes delayed mortality of released trout consider using only artificial lures - their use is mandatory on some waters use barbless hooks if you plan to release most of the fish you catch when a fish is deeply hooked, do not try to remove the hook - clip the leader instead during the warm summer months when stream temperatures are elevated, do not fish for trout if you plan to release them - these fish are already stressed and additional handling may kill them (For additional guidance, check out Help Trout & Salmon Beat the Summer Heat) likewise, do not fish for trout in spring holes when water temperatures are in the mid 70s or higher (especially if you plan to release them) Special Rules for Taking Trout and Salmon in Deep Water A moderate steady retrieve will give the fish time to adjust to changes in water pressure. Trout and salmon caught in many cold water lakes are caught in very deep water. Bringing them to the surface is particularly stressful because the fish experiences a substantial reduction in water pressure. At 100 feet deep the pressure per inch is four times greater than at the surface. In this situation it is important not to "horse in" the fish but to bring it to the surface slowly but steadily. Fish brought up from deep water may need "burping." Burping is a method of expelling excess air from the fish's swim bladder. The drop in pressure causes the swim bladder to expand, increasing the fish's buoyancy and causing it to float belly up. Left in this condition, many fish die as a result of the surface water's warm temperatures or attacks by predators. But in trout and salmon, the swim bladder is connected to the esophagus, making it possible to squeeze excess air out. To do so, hold the fish gently on its side and gently, but firmly, squeeze the belly from the vent toward the head. You will be able to hear the burp as air is expelled from the bladder. Do not squeeze the head and gill area, as that could damage vital organs. Stimulate the fish to dive deeply. Once burped, the fish should be able to dive down to the deep cold water. But it may require further assistance. Two methods have proved useful in stimulating fish to dive. One is to vigorously thrust the fish, head first, into the water. The slap of the water, and the plunge downward usually stimulates the fish to swim down. Another technique is the "release when recovered" method. Hold the fish gently at the middle of its body with its head pointed downward at a 45 degree angle. In that position a gentle side-to-side motion (or slow speed of the boat if trolling) can be used to move water into the mouth and over the gills. As the fish recovers, it will begin to kick, and slide out of your hand. When its tail passes through your hand, give the tail a quick squeeze. This seems to stimulate the fish's swimming action, causing to dive with more vigor. Remember, the idea is not to catch the tail, but to compress it as it slides through your hand. When is burping and additional handling needed? Let the fish tell you that. Start by handling the fish as little as possible, i.e., flip it off the hook with needle-nosed pliers. If it is able to recover and returns to the depths, you have avoid a lot of handling. If it is unable to dive, the head first plunge may be enough or burping and the "release when recovered" technique may be required. Based on fisherman observations landlocked salmon taken from 30 feet deep can be flipped off the hook will do fine. Salmon from 60 feet deep may need some help to recover. Lake trout seem to be more sensitive than salmon. A lake trout brought up from 60 feet will probably need to be burped and given some help to dive back to deep water.

Hi Scobar, This would probably speed up the process. You see them doing it with sharks on the discovery channel. However, IMHO, I think trout and salmon are so sensitive to oxygen deprivation/depletion that reviving totally spent fish is just plain hard. Sometimes they just won't come around. So for me it is better to avoid early season warm water when conditions are such on the tribs. So, trib fishermen, please keep up your end of the deal. Also 95% of trout and salmon will quickly calm down if netted and handled gently in 6-8" of water. A little careful work with some hemostats (grab the hook at the bend and jiggle) and off he/she goes. Several times I have caught the same fish less than an hour later. Good Luck out there and health to All Andy

Thanks rolmops, I didn't know about the tolerance of trout and salmon to changes in pressure. And yes, they absolutely hate being out of the water, probably more than any other fish. The exhaustion issue is magnified by warm water with it's low oxygen levels. It is really impossible to land a fish in warm water without killing it. They just can't recover. I don't fish warm water any more for that reason. It only took one or two fish to learn that hard lesson. Thank you so much for your response. It is good to see that the lake community is doing a good job on releasing unwanted fish. I always wondered what happened on days that the fish were cooperating and a limit was reached in relatively short order. The clients spend good money and often drive long distances. They should be able to fish a full day if wanted. Thank You So Much, Andy

Hi All, I was wondering about this very thing then I found this thread. I am just a trib fisherman and some I eat, most I let go. Like you I don't take them from the water and a hook in the gills is bad news. My question is this: When we pull a Perch from over 20' feet through the ice, it's swim bladder expands making a good release impossible. Does this same thing happen to trout and salmon? I know that in the So. Pacific expensive deepwater aquarium fish (some worth 10G's and headed to billionaires around the world) have their air bladders drained with a hypodermic and survive. Hee, hee, anyone for sicking a hypodermic in a 30# thrashing salmon? Just Kiddin'. Thanks in advance, Andy

If you plan on fishing cold weather, you may want to consider neopreme. My cousin likes breathable, but since one cold December day, I won't wear breathables. My legs were still cold 8 hours later (not an exaggeration.) The thickeat neopremes are less than $200. If interested, you may want to look for thickness more than brand. I have had good luck with both Gander Mountain and Cabela's