How to catch and release fish properly
This summer, many salmon anglers will need to release their catch of salmon or sea trout. It’s important to know how to do this properly. In this video from Norske Lakseelver, you’ll get a simple and practical introduction to gentle catch and release – an important effort to help protect wild salmon.
The film shows you how to distinguish between wild and farmed salmon, and how to tell male from female salmon – even early in the season. You’ll also get tips on how to identify sea trout, such as by checking the tail base and the spots below the lateral line. This is important knowledge to follow the regulations in the river you’re fishing in.
Catch and Release – Step by Step
To release fish without harming them, you need the right gear and good habits. The film covers everything from choosing the right hook and net to how to hold and handle the fish in the water. It also reminds you to kill the fish quickly if it is seriously injured. In warm water, being quick and gentle is especially important.
Know the Rules
Regulations for salmon fishing vary from river to river. It’s your responsibility to learn the local rules before you start fishing. It’s not just about legality, but also about respecting nature and the efforts to preserve wild salmon.
Key points from the film:
-
Use strong gear and barbless hooks to land the fish quickly.
-
Have a fine-mesh, knotless net ready before you start fishing.
-
Keep the fish in the water at all times, never touch it with dry hands, and never lift it by the tail or gills.
-
Kill the fish quickly if it is injured or bleeding from the gills.
-
Release the fish gently once it has regained balance and normal breathing movements.
Read more about salmon and salmon management at Norske Lakseelver.
