Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is one of North America's most popular recreational activities, with catch and release practices affecting fish welfare.
Bass caught repeatedly in high-pressure fisheries experience cumulative stress that affects their behavior, physiology, and long-term health. Tournament fish held in crowded livewells for extended periods experience chronic oxygen depletion and temperature stress that causes welfare harm and increases delayed mortality after release. Warm water exacerbates all welfare impacts - dissolved oxygen is lower and metabolic oxygen demand is higher. The competitive fishing culture that prioritizes weighing and photographing fish over rapid release causes measurable welfare costs. Minimizing air exposure, using non-metallic weigh systems, and quick release in oxygenated water improves outcomes.