Catch & Release Lakes

These lakes are regulated year-round as catch and release for all fish species. This means fishing is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful to take, kill or possess any fish from these lakes. Once caught, all fish shall be immediately returned unharmed.

Additional catch and release regulations specifically for trout can be found in the Trout Fishing Regulations. These include Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only, Catch and Release All Tackle and Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only.

How to Release Fish

Catch and Release

Some waters are managed strictly as “Catch and Release” waters. Minimum size limits require that fish less than the minimum must be released. Creel limits require that fish caught in excess of the limit must be released. Closed seasons require the release of fish species caught during a season when keeping them is not permitted. The number of fish that survive depends on several factors including the length of the fight, where the fish is hooked, water temperature and how the fish is handled and released.

To give fish released the best chance for survival, follow these recommended guidelines:

1. Use barbless hooks.
2. Play fish quickly. Try to land your fish as quickly as possible, and don’t play the fish to exhaustion.
3. Use a landing net.
4. Keep the fish in the water. The chance of a fish being injured increases the longer it is held out of water.
5. Wet your hands, net and other materials that may come in contact with the fish.
6. Hold the fish upside down while removing the hook. This can often pacify the fish and reduce handling time.
7. Remove hooks quickly. Hemostats or long-nose pliers are essential tools for quickly removing hooks.
8. Cut the line. When it is not possible to remove the hook without harming the fish, cut the line.
9. Don’t touch the gills. Do not handle fish by placing your fingers in the gill slits.
10. Hold the fish upright underwater after hook removal and allow it to swim away under its own power. If necessary, hold the fish out of the current until it revives.
11. Fish that are bleeding from the mouth or gills due to hook removal do not survive after being released back into the water. Anglers may be charged with violating the Fish and Boat Code by failing to immediately release the fish unharmed. If regulations permit, the angler should keep the fish and have it count towards his or her daily limit.