Wild Freshwater Fish Catch and Release Welfare

Catch-and-release fishing can cause welfare harm to fish if poorly practised, but evidence-based handling techniques significantly reduce physiological stress and improve survival after release.

Key Facts

Catch-and-release is widely practised for sport fishing in the UK including for trout and salmon
Fish experience physiological stress responses to capture including elevated cortisol and lactic acid
Extended fight times, air exposure, and water temperature affect post-release survival significantly
Barbless hooks reduce injury and hook removal time compared to barbed hooks
Survival rates for properly handled catch-and-release fish approach 95-98% in optimal conditions

Welfare Considerations

Catch-and-release welfare depends entirely on the techniques used by anglers before and after landing a fish. Extended fight times cause exhaustion and lactic acidosis that can be fatal even after release. Prolonged air exposure causes oxygen deprivation and tissue desiccation. Mishandling including squeezing, dropping, or gripping fish around the body damages internal organs and removes the protective mucus layer. Welfare-conscious catch-and-release uses barbless hooks, minimises fight time through appropriate tackle, keeps fish in water throughout unhooking, and releases fish into adequate water depth with gentle support until they swim away independently.

What You Can Do

Use barbless hooks to minimise injury and hook removal time
Minimise fight time through appropriate tackle strength for the target species
Keep fish in water during unhooking - use a landing net in water if needed
Never hold fish vertically by the lip - support the body horizontally
Hold fish gently in the current until fully recovered before releasing