How To Be A Fish Friendly Angler

Saturday, May 05, 2001
Headlines

This article was Archived on Monday, July 01, 2002

Anglers and recreationists looking forward to summer are becoming increasingly aware they may also be looking into another season of severe drought. Anglers can do a lot to reduce the stress fish feel as a result of low stream flow, higher water temperatures and competition for space and food. Low water conditions in spring and fall can cause spawning failures and loss of young fish to predators. Also, fish will "group up" to take advantage of pools where the water is deeper and cooler -- making them more vulnerable to anglers and predators. If conditions worsen, fish are lost to stress from the higher water temperature, lower oxygen levels, and reduced resistance to disease. These threats can impact adult trout numbers in future years.

To help preserve a threatened fishery anglers can:

• Fish in the cool morning hours -- low water flow and rising temperatures combine to stress fish.
• Try another location, if water is low at a favorite fishing spot.
• Report fish kills to the local Fish, Wildlife & Parks office.
• Be alert for fishing closures on streams hardest hit by drought.
• Work with water users to try to conserve flow.
• Anglers who practice catch-and-release fishing can minimize the stress they place on fish:
• Use barbless hooks.
• Land fish quickly once they are hooked.
• Keep fish in the water as much as possible while handling them.
• Limit the amount of time fish are handled.
• Wet hands before attempting to remove the hook.
• Handle fish gently.
• Take care not to touch a fish’s gills.

There is no substitute for being aware of the environment and using good judgment. For example, on streams experiencing severe low-water and high temperatures avoid catch and release fishing as it is difficult for trout to recover under these conditions. Anglers who pay attention to state drought reports, keep an eye on the condition of their favorite fishing spots and fish according to the conditions are the first line of defense in a drought.