Catch and Release Fishing: Best Practices & Ethics – From a Veteran Angler (Tom)

Hey guys, Tom here. Let’s cut to the chase—if you’ve been asking me about catch and release lately, you know I don’t sugarcoat it. This isn’t some “feel-good” trend or a way to show off; it’s our responsibility as anglers to keep the waters we love stocked, healthy, and ready for the next generation (and our next trip). I’ve been casting lines for 35 years, 20 of those spent perfecting the art of catch and release—mostly through trial and error, and a few hard lessons I wish I could take back. I’ve messed up: lost fish that should’ve survived, damaged their fins by handling them wrong, even kept a trophy bass that was too small (don’t worry, I learned that lesson fast). This guide isn’t just a list of “do’s and don’ts”—it’s the wisdom I’ve earned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the practices that will keep your favorite fishing spots thriving. No fancy jargon, no holier-than-thou lectures—just straight talk from a guy who’s been there, reeled in the big one, and let it go to fight another day. Let’s break this down, so you can fish with confidence, knowing you’re doing right by the water and the fish.

First: Let’s Get Clear – What Catch and Release Really Means (It’s Not Just “Letting It Go”)

I hear it all the time: “I catch and release, so I’m a good angler.” But here’s the truth—catch and release only matters if the fish survives to spawn, feed, and grow. It’s not enough to hook a fish, take a photo, and toss it back; you have to do it in a way that minimizes stress, injury, and mortality. Early in my career, I thought catch and release was just “catch, hold, release”—until I watched a 5-pound bass I’d just released float to the surface 10 minutes later, dead. That hurt. I did some research, talked to fisheries biologists, and realized: catch and release is a skill, not a afterthought. The goal isn’t just to “let the fish go”—it’s to give it the best possible chance to live. And that starts with understanding why we do it in the first place.

Ethically, catch and release is about respect—for the fish, for the ecosystem, and for the anglers who come after us. Think about it: Leech Lake (my home away from home) wouldn’t have the bass population it does if everyone kept every fish they caught. Same with Orange Beach’s redfish—those big trophy fish? They’re the ones spawning, keeping the population strong. Legally, many waters have size limits, bag limits, and even catch-and-release-only zones (similar to how some areas restrict gear or fishing times to protect stocks)—but even when it’s not required, it’s the right move. I’ve seen lakes where overfishing wiped out the bass population, and it took 10 years to recover. Don’t be the guy who contributes to that. Catch and release isn’t a choice—it’s our duty as anglers.

Tom’s Pro Best Practices (Learned the Hard Way)

These aren’t just tips from a book—these are the things I wish someone had told me 30 years ago. I’ve made every mistake you can make, so I’m here to save you (and the fish) the pain. Let’s start with the most important part: minimizing stress. Fish get stressed just like we do, and too much stress kills them—even if you release them. Here’s how to keep that stress to a minimum.

1. Use the Right Gear (Size Matters – And So Does Line)

The biggest mistake beginners make is using the wrong gear, which leads to fighting the fish longer than necessary. I once used a light rod and 6-pound line to catch a 10-pound catfish—fought it for 20 minutes, and by the time I got it to the boat, it was exhausted. It swam away, but I later saw it floating—dead. That’s on me. Here’s what you need:

Match Your Rod/Reel to the Fish – If you’re targeting bass, use a medium-light to medium rod with 8–12 lb test line. For trout, a light rod with 4–6 lb line works, but don’t go too light—you want to land the fish quickly. I use a Ugly Stik GX2 (same one I swear by for kayak fishing) with 10 lb monofilament for most freshwater fish—it’s strong enough to land the fish fast, but gentle enough to not tear their mouths.
Avoid Treble Hooks – Treble hooks (the ones with three points) are more likely to get stuck deep in the fish’s throat or gills, which is often fatal. I switched to single hooks or circle hooks 15 years ago, and I’ve seen a huge difference in survival rates. Circle hooks are even better—they’re designed to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth, not the throat. I once caught a bass on a treble hook that was stuck in its gill; I tried to remove it, but it bleeding out. Never again. Stick to single or circle hooks—your fish will thank you.
Keep Your Line Tight (But Not Too Tight) – A loose line lets the fish thrash around, wasting energy and getting more stressed. Keep the line tight enough to control the fish, but not so tight that you tear its mouth. I’ve had fish break free because I pulled too hard, and others get exhausted because I let them run too much. Find that middle ground—land the fish in 2–5 minutes, max. The longer the fight, the lower the survival rate.

2. Handle the Fish Properly (No Bare Hands – Ever)

This is where 90% of anglers mess up. I used to grab fish with my bare hands, thinking “it’s just a fish”—until I realized how much damage I was doing. Fish have a protective slime coat on their bodies that keeps them from getting infections. When you touch them with your bare hands, you remove that slime, leaving them vulnerable to disease. I once caught a beautiful rainbow trout, held it with my bare hands for a photo, and released it—two days later, I saw it washed up on shore, covered in fungus. That’s a mistake I’ll never make again.

Use a Wet Landing Net – A soft, rubberized landing net (not mesh) that’s been soaked in water is the best way to land a fish. It keeps the fish in the water (where it belongs) and doesn’t damage the slime coat. I keep a small landing net in my kayak and my boat—never leave home without it. Avoid mesh nets—they can tear fins and remove slime.
Wet Your Hands (Or Wear Gloves) – If you have to handle the fish (to remove the hook, for example), wet your hands first. This helps preserve the slime coat. Even better, wear lightweight, wet fishing gloves—they give you a better grip and protect the fish. I use a cheap pair of neoprene gloves; they’re easy to clean and keep the fish safe.
Keep the Fish in the Water (As Much As Possible) – The less time the fish is out of water, the better. I see guys lifting fish out of the water for 5–10 minutes to take photos, and it makes me cringe. Fish can’t breathe air—they need oxygen from the water to survive. If you need to take a photo, hold the fish horizontally (never vertically—this can damage their spine) just above the water, snap the photo, and put it back immediately. I once held a bass out of water for 30 seconds to show my buddy, and it took 5 minutes to revive it. Not worth it.
Never Squeeze the Fish – Squeezing a fish can damage its internal organs, even if it looks fine. I’ve seen guys squeeze bass to hold them, and the fish dies a few hours later. Hold the fish gently—for bass, cup your hand under their belly (support their weight) and hold their lower jaw with your thumb and forefinger. For smaller fish, just let them rest in the landing net while you remove the hook.

3. Hook Removal: Do It Fast, Do It Right (Or Cut the Line)

Removing the hook is the most critical part of catch and release. A wrong move can kill the fish, even if you release it. I’ve spent years perfecting this, and I still make mistakes—but here’s what works for me.

Use Pliers (Not Your Fingers) – Always use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the hook. It’s faster, safer (for you and the fish), and less likely to cause damage. I keep a pair of stainless steel pliers on a lanyard around my neck—never out of reach. I once tried to remove a hook with my fingers and got pricked; the fish got away, and I ended up with an infection. Not smart.
Cut the Line If the Hook Is Stuck Deep – If the hook is stuck in the fish’s throat or gills, don’t try to yank it out—that will tear the tissue and cause bleeding. Instead, cut the line as close to the hook as possible. The hook will eventually rust out, and the fish will be fine. I used to spend 5 minutes trying to remove a deep hook, only to kill the fish. Now, I cut the line—simple, fast, and better for the fish.
Don’t “Play” the Fish After Hooking It – Once you hook the fish, land it as quickly as possible. Playing the fish for fun (letting it run, jumping it out of the water) wastes its energy and increases stress. I’ve seen guys play a trout for 10 minutes, just to show off—and then wonder why it dies after release. Respect the fish—land it fast, remove the hook, and let it go.

4. Revive the Fish Before Releasing It (Don’t Just Toss It Back)

Even if the fish looks fine, it might be exhausted from the fight. Reviving it ensures it has the energy to swim away and recover. I learned this the hard way: I once caught a big walleye, removed the hook, and tossed it back—only to watch it float to the surface. I didn’t revive it, and it died. Now, I never skip this step.

Hold the Fish Facing Into the Current – If you’re in a river or stream, hold the fish gently by the lower jaw and face it into the current. This lets water flow over its gills, giving it oxygen. If you’re in a lake (like Leech Lake), move the fish back and forth in the water to simulate the current. Do this for 30 seconds to a minute, until the fish starts to struggle and swim away on its own.
Don’t Let It Go Until It’s Ready – If the fish is lethargic (floats on its side, doesn’t struggle), keep reviving it. I once revived a bass for 2 minutes before it swam away—and I saw it again the next week, healthy and strong. Be patient—this step could mean the difference between life and death for the fish.

Catch and Release Ethics: It’s Not Just About the Fish – It’s About Respect

Best practices are important, but ethics are what make you a true angler. I’ve seen guys cut corners: keep fish that are too small, use illegal gear, or release fish that are already dying just to “check the box.” That’s not catch and release—that’s negligence. Here’s what ethical catch and release looks like, from my 35 years of experience.

1. Obey Size and Bag Limits (Even If No One’s Watching)

Size limits exist for a reason: to let fish grow to maturity and spawn. I once caught a bass that was an inch under the size limit—my buddy told me to keep it, “no one will know.” But I released it. Why? Because that bass would’ve spawned the next year, producing hundreds of baby bass. Just like how some areas restrict the number of fish you can keep or ban certain gear to protect stocks, size limits are there to keep the ecosystem balanced. Obeying them isn’t just the law—it’s respect for the water. I’ve seen lakes where everyone ignores size limits, and the bass population becomes dominated by small, stunted fish. Don’t be that guy.

2. Don’t Fish in Spawning Areas (Or Handle Spawning Fish)

Spawning fish are vulnerable—they’re focused on reproducing, not fighting. I avoid fishing in spawning beds (shallow, weedy areas in spring) because disturbing them can ruin their nests and kill the eggs. If you do catch a spawning fish, handle it as little as possible and release it immediately. I once caught a spawning female bass—she was full of eggs. I removed the hook quickly, revived her, and released her. A month later, I saw a school of baby bass in that same area. That’s the difference you can make.

3. Leave the Water Better Than You Found It

Catch and release isn’t just about the fish—it’s about protecting their habitat. I always pick up trash when I’m fishing—beer cans, plastic bags, old fishing line. Fishing line is especially dangerous—it can entangle fish, birds, and other wildlife. I once found a bass tangled in old fishing line, its fin torn off. I freed it, but it probably didn’t survive. Now, I carry a small bag to collect trash, and I encourage my buddies to do the same. Just like how anglers are asked to avoid littering and protect shoreline vegetation in many areas, it’s our job to keep the water clean for the fish—and for future anglers.

4. Be Honest with Yourself (And Your Buddies)

If you catch a fish that’s too injured to survive (bleeding heavily, gills damaged), don’t release it—keep it (if it’s within size/bag limits) or humanely euthanize it. I once caught a bass with a torn gill—it was bleeding badly, and I knew it wouldn’t survive. I kept it, cooked it, and didn’t waste it. Releasing a fish that’s going to die is cruel and pointless. Be honest with yourself: if the fish can’t survive, don’t pretend it can. And call out your buddies if they’re cutting corners—we’re all in this together.

Tom’s Biggest Mistakes (So You Don’t Make Them)

I’ve messed up more times than I can count, but these are the mistakes that still haunt me—and the ones that taught me the most. Learn from my errors, and you’ll be a better angler (and a better steward of the water).

Mistake #1: Using Treble Hooks – As I mentioned earlier, I caught a bass on a treble hook that got stuck in its gill. I tried to remove it, but it bled out. I switched to circle hooks the next day, and I haven’t had that problem since.
Mistake #2: Holding Fish Out of Water for Photos – I once held a 7-pound bass out of water for a minute to take a photo with my buddy. It swam away, but I saw it floating an hour later. Now, I take photos with the fish just above the water—10 seconds max.
Mistake #3: Not Reviving the Fish – I caught a walleye on a hot summer day, removed the hook, and tossed it back. It floated to the surface immediately. I didn’t revive it, and it died. Now, I always revive fish, even if it takes a few minutes.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Size Limits – Early in my career, I kept a bass that was an inch under the limit. I thought it was no big deal, but now I realize that bass could’ve spawned and helped the population grow. I’ve never done that again.

Final Thoughts – Catch and Release Is a Legacy, Not a Trend

Guys, catch and release isn’t about being “perfect”—it’s about doing your best. I still make mistakes, but I try to learn from them every time. The goal is to leave the water better than we found it, so our kids (and their kids) can enjoy the same fishing we do. I’ve fished Leech Lake for 30 years, and it’s still as good as it was when I was a kid—because anglers like us practice responsible catch and release. It’s not always easy—letting go of a trophy fish is hard—but it’s worth it.

Remember: catch and release isn’t just a practice—it’s a mindset. It’s respecting the fish, respecting the water, and respecting the sport we love. You don’t need to be a pro to do it right—just follow these tips, learn from your mistakes, and be mindful of the impact you have. And if you’re ever unsure, ask— I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned. After all, we’re all in this together.

Now go grab your rod, hit the water, and fish with pride. Tight lines, and remember—let ’em go, so we can catch ’em again.

– Tom, Your Go-To Angler for All Things Catch and Release