[craigkoproski]

I would like input regarding Catch and Release. It appears some people swear by it while others think it does more harm than good. So which is it? I live on a river in CT and have been stocking it over the past 3 years with average size fish 12-14 inches. Last year I caught a rainbow which measured 26 inches. I don't think it was in there before as I caught others that ranged from 20-24 inches and I would find it hard to believe that these fished were stocked by the state. I have also caught fish with flies in their mouths that had broken off from leader breaks. The fish were in good shape and obviously feeding since I caught them again and out of all the fish I caught I had one die on me and it was due to the warmer water and hypoxia set in due to a long fight which I normally try to avoid and now I don't fish when the water temp gets too hot. So my question is since I have always practiced C&R and the results I have seen are a minimal mortality rate how can people make assumptions about how many fish die after they are released? I know this is fresh water but I also practice C&R in salt and only had a handfull of fish die as a result of gut hooks. I know some say it could take a day or two for the fish to die but how do we know? Was there some test performed in a controlled environment that we could reference? Just curious. Thanks

 

[616787]

Just my opinion, but it doesn't matter what an actual statistic says. Fish do die as a result of C&R. And to me, every fish that's killed for C&R is a fish wasted simply for the pleasure of a fight. I don't hold a radical view of C&R that I would impose on anybody else - I just won't practice it

 

[skatemaster]

There have been many C&R studies done, where they hook various species with various hooks and drop them into pens to observe. I feel that these are best case conditions, and fish are more likely to survive in these studies than in real world conditions. But even if a C&R fish dies, at least a crab gets a meal.

 

[MakoMike]

Craig,
Someone did a controlled study on striped bass C&R mortality a couple of years ago. I recall reading about it at the time, and, if I recall correctly they found a 20-30% mortality. Maybe you find it doing a google search? Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[sam843]

Hatcheries do stock large fish.
They release large spawners after they are are stripped of eggs a few times as to keep the genetics varied in the stock.
So the large trout you caught were likely released by the state.
Here in Ny york I spoke to a DEC guy in a Hatchery tanker who was releasing fish in a stream he told me later on he would be releasing some Browns in the 6lb range

 

[craigkoproski]

I don't think these were state fish.

The fish I order are raised in ceramic tanks so there is no wear on their fins. In CT the fish are raised in Cement tanks and they are usually missing a few fins. The ones I caught in my backyard were very healthy and fat and there were quit a few of them. I would love to think the DEP keeps stocking the breeders in my part of the river but I don't think I'm that lucky!

 

[seaslug44]

Craigkoproski,

Which hatchery do you buy your fish from?

 

[skatemaster]

28% in this one

Most sport fishermen throw around lower numbers based on other studies

 

[skatemaster]

9.1% in this one

0.8% with circle hooks

(This post edited by skatemaster on 04/14/2003)

 

[craigkoproski]

Doc, I buy my fish

from Harding's trout farm. Its up in Bethlehem CT. Howard Harding is the owner and he runs a fishing park up there as well. Very nice guy and if you order from him he will piggy back your delivery with others to cut down on the delivery cost.

Skate,
That 28% number seemed high until I read that they were using bait and hooks. I was also glad to see the impact circle hooks made with a much lower mortality rate. Hopefully everyone who intends to practice C&R will striclty use circle hooks. Thanks for the info.

(This post edited by craigkoproski on 04/14/2003)

 

[186logic]

I fished a private pond for years and would clip a fin on all fish released. I caught many clipped fish over the years and caught one bass in particular 4 times in about as many years (it had an unusual spinal deformity). All fish were caught on lures and 4lb. test. C&R done right works...if you want to keep fish fine, but don't use the theory it doesn't work to justify it.