For many anglers, the goal of trout fishing is simple: catch fish, completely nerd out and admire said fish, release fish. The problem is that trout are surprisingly delicate creatures, and even small mistakes during the catch-and-release process can have lasting consequences. From fighting and netting a fish to snapping a quick photo and sending it on its way, every step matters. With their lil’ trout lives literally in our own hands, it’s intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be.
I’m here to demystify the art of proper trout handling. A few simple habits can help ensure the fish you catch today is still around to be caught tomorrow.
Before you go…
Know your conditions to ensure you’re setting trout up for success on the release. And when the conditions aren’t good, don’t go fishing. Plain and simple.
This means paying attention to flow rates and water temperatures. Most fishy literature says that the sweet spot for catching hungry trout is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Above that, they become lethargic, plus you’ll run the risk of fatally over-stressing a fish during the fight. Keep an eye on river flow rates, too, which can cause temperatures in shallow water to rise faster. Also, know your Hoot Owl restrictions (fishing restrictions during the hottest part of the day, typically enforced mid-summer in popular fisheries), if your state announces them.
Last but not least, make sure you have the right fishing license. If all these line up and you have the right Trout Stamp, you’re good to go.
Landing a trout
The first time you land a trout—especially a bigger trout—can feel like pure chaos. The fight, the current, the line that ends up wrapped around your legs in a nest—it’s a lot to handle all at once. Despite the disarray, you’ll want to fight your trout quickly and efficiently to avoid exhausting them. Keep them up-current to oxygenate them while still tiring them out enough that you can safely reach them (and not let them completely run off with the line).
If you haven’t already, invest in a rubber-coated net—unlike nylon, the rubber will protect the fish’s delicate, slimy skin. They’re more expensive, but they’re worth every penny for fish health. I personally recommend getting a net with a long handle, because flooding your waders while trying to scoop with a short net is not that fun. And if you’re with a friend, ask them to lend a hand. If it means getting the trout to your net faster, let them net the fish. There’s no shame in the buddy system.
Unhooking a trout
Once that trout is in your net, keep it wet for as long as possible. Keep the fish in the net with the basket below the water line so that the fish can breathe.
Before you reach in to unhook your fish, wet your hands. Trout slime is super important for the fish’s health—it actually serves as a protective layer that helps them heal faster while staving off diseases, fungi, and bacteria. If you touch that slime with wet hands, it can come off, which can hurt the fish later on.
Finally, loosen the line and get a pair of forceps or pliers to efficiently remove the hook (this is where barbless hooks come in handy, wink wink). If you have to lift the fish out, put it back in the water (in the net) right away. #KeepFishWet.
Holding a trout
Photo time. Now that you’re unhooked, you can snap a quick pic. Just please do it fast and do it gently—trout are very delicate creatures.
With both of your wet hands, slowly lift your fish out of the net, keeping it horizontal and supported under the length of its spine. Unlike bass or snook, do not lip a trout—they have teeth, and that would hurt. More importantly, holding a fish vertically can do damage to their internal organs. Instead, cradle your fish against its belly so it has extra support while it’s out of the water. And keep your hands away from its gills.
Be speedy (10 seconds maximum) and get it back in the water as quickly as possible to ensure a safe release. It helps to have your camera ready before you take the fish out of the water.
Releasing a trout
Time to say goodbye to your new fishy friend. Your release should be as gentle and thoughtful as the rest of your process. Only at this step, you’ll want to pay extra-close attention to your fish’s behavior to make sure they swim off strong.
Some best practices: keep trout facing upstream on the release to aerate their gills and get oxygen flowing. If the fight takes a while and they’re particularly tuckered out, let them chill—either cradled or in the net—pointed upstream so that the water flows over their gills, giving them time to catch their breath. Wait for them to “kick off” with their tail; instead of pushing them into the current, let them swim off on their own.
Congrats, you’ve passed Trout Handling 101
See? I told you it wasn’t that scary. Following these basic practices will go a long way toward protecting the fish and fisheries we all love so dearly. If you’re looking to dive deeper, there are plenty of excellent resources from conservation groups, guides, and biologists that cover catch-and-release best practices in even greater detail.
At the end of the day, it’s about treating the fish with a little respect, making thoughtful decisions on the water, and doing your part to ensure healthy trout populations keep on keepin’ on.