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LEARN TO PROPERLY
HANDLE CAUGHT FISH TO
BOOST SURVIVAL JODI KEITH/READERS' PHOTO SHOWCASE 2019

There are times when keeping a certain size or
age class of fish is beneficial.
Recently, the Wildlife Department authorized
new daily catch limits for largemouth and small-
mouth bass in ponds and lakes. There is no longer
a minimum length limit for harvesting those species.
The daily limit of six remains in effect, but only one
“keeper” may be over 16 inches.
This change seeks to improve the overall size and
health of Oklahoma's black bass population, primari-
ly focusing on largemouth bass. ODWC recommends
harvesting 8-inch to 15-inch largemouth bass, espe-
cially at lakes with an overabundance of fish that size.
The Department is encouraging anglers to “catch injury depends on where the fish is hooked. Most fish will survive catch-
and-release if they are not
and keep” bass for table fare instead of sticking with However, the best way to ensure survival is to
hooked in a vital area such
the decades-old philosophy of “catch and release.” release a fish back into the water immediately after as the gills or brain.
However, when anglers do release caught fish landing it. Handling the fish as little as possible and
and fail to do so properly, they aren’t helping the removing the hook with minimum tissue damage are
resource, especially larger bass. the best ways to ensure survival.
Live release can be effective only if injury and Fish are covered with a layer of slime on their bod-
stress levels are kept to a minimum and the fish sur- ies, which helps keep them disease-free. Excessive
vives to be an effective predator again. handling by an angler can damage the slime layer WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM
Studies conducted on fish that have been hooked and open the fish up to infections. Don’t handle
or handled indicate that released fish will survive, caught fish with dry hands; always wet hands with
provided they aren’t profusely bleeding or they water before touching the fish.
aren’t hooked in the brain, gills, or deep in the throat. Fisheries managers recommend holding a bass
Almost all fish caught with artificial bait and immedi- by grasping its lower jaw and opening the mouth
ately released will live. Some mortality is unavoidable downward, which immobilizes the fish and allows
because tissue damage caused by the hook may lead the angler to hold it securely. For large bass,
to bacterial or fungal infections. The severity of the though, it's important to provide additional support
by resting their body on
DARRIN HILL/ODWC something or keeping it
in the water while hold-
ing the lower jaw.
Grasping a hook with
Leaving the fish in the
pliers can also result in water while handling
and unhooking is a
quicker and less-damag-
recommended technique
ing hook removal than for larger fish.
can be accomplished
by twisting and pulling
a hook with your fingers.
When a bass is hooked
in the throat or gills where
excessive tissue damage
will result from removing
it, the chance of survival
is greater if you cut the
line and leave the hook
A kayak fisherman takes care to support the body of the black bass he just caught. in the tissue.

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