DWR shares tips for proper catch and release fishing in hot temperatures

Fishing in smaller bodies of water like rivers and streams in hot weather can harm fish, here are some tips to avoid causing damage while catch-and-release fishing. Photo: DWR // Paul Burnett.

UTAH—With summer temperatures soaring, understanding the proper handling of fish during catch-and-release fishing becomes crucial to their survival.

Here are some tips from DWR to minimize stress on our finned friends:

• Pick the right time: Avoid the scorching heat and opt for early mornings or evenings when temperatures are cooler.
• Find cooler spots: Look for fishing spots with deeper, cooler water, ensuring the survival of the fish you catch. Stay away from stagnant, shallow water.
• Higher elevation, better fishing: Head to high-elevation waterbodies with cooler temperatures and higher water levels.
• Handle with care: Minimize handling time for cold water fish species and save the photo shoots for cooler times of the day.
• Keep an eye on the temperature: Carry a thermometer and call it quits for the day when water surface temperatures reach 70 degrees. If you don’t have a thermometer, observe the fish – if they seem lethargic, it’s probably too hot for fishing.
• Stand your ground: Use heavier tackle and reel in your fish as quickly as possible.
• Keep it wet: Wet your hands before handling fish to give them the best chance of survival.
• Water-bound unhooking: Keep the fish in the water as you remove the hook.