Catch and Release Tips

How long you play a fish determines its chance of survival. Don't play the fish longer than needed and netting a fish in deeper water is far easier. The closer they get to the shore the more of a panic they will go into. Common Rule of Thumb is to revive the fish for as long as you play it. Secondly, keep your catch in the water while removing the hook don't hold the fish with your fingers through the gills. If you must get a picture of the fish, do so quickly and get the fish back into the water immediately. Also, always wet your hands before touching the fish itself. Fish have oils on their skin that protect them from diseases, parasites, and other dangers to the fish's health. If you hold a fish with dry hands the oils transfer to your hands and come off of the fish. Decreasing it's chance of living a healthy disease free life.

The style of net used is also helpful. Regular string nets with knots tying the strings together can harm and scratch the fish, rubbing off their scales, as well as, rubbing off their protective oils. Rubber nets and soft mesh "knotless" nets are easier on the fish's body.

When reviving the fish do not move it forward and then backward in the water. Gently holding it, move it constantly forward or in a figure eight motion, or if in a river always hold the fish upstream. This allows the fish to breathe correctly and gain enough strength to swim away unharmed. When a fish is pulled backwards through the water, the water is rushed in through their gills and suffocates the fish.

Catch and Release is the only way to ensure our children and their children can enjoy this wonderful outdoor experience, FISHING! It's also the only way to have trophy fish in our water. We shouldn’t have to rely on the state of New Mexico Game and Fish to enforce the laws. You and I as Anglers need to know and abide by the rules. This along with more and more people practicing proper Catch and Release can create a long lived Healthy population of more trophy Angling here in New Mexico.