Published on 1 September, 2024
Whether you're a B.A.S.S. Pro or weekend warrior, we hold a special place in the circle of life, not just as anglers chasing the bite, but as stewards of the freshwater fisheries we so dearly love. The rivers, lakes, and streams that stretch across North America are more than just spots on a map; they are living ecosystems that need our respect and care. Every cast we make, every fish we catch, and every day we spend on the water has an impact. We are responsible to help to ensure that these waterways remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come.
Pick Up Your Trash
We've all seen it—discarded cans, plastic bags, tangled fishing lines strewn along the shoreline. This isn’t just unsightly; it’s harmful. Wildlife can ingest or get tangled in this trash, leading to injuries or even death. So, take a moment to pick up not just your trash but any you see. Leave the water cleaner than you found it. After all, a pristine shoreline is as much a part of the fishing experience as the water itself.
Lead in Tackle
Lead-based tackle has been a staple in fishing for years, but it poses a significant risk to wildlife. Birds, particularly waterfowl, can ingest lead weights, leading to poisoning and death. While lead is sometimes unavoidable in tackle, we should strive to reduce its use as much as possible. There are plenty of effective, non-toxic alternatives available now, so make the switch where you can.
Don’t Discard Used Plastics
We get it; sometimes those soft plastics just don’t last (Unless you're using Limestone Lures). But tossing them in the water isn’t the answer. Discarded plastics can be ingested by fish and other wildlife, causing serious harm. Keep a bag handy to collect used plastics and dispose of them properly. It’s a small step that makes a big difference. If you live in the Greater Kingston region, we'll take your used plastics and recycle them into The Phoenix Initiative.
Avoid Leaving Long Lines in the Water After a Snag
Snags happen—it's part of the game. But when you leave a long line in the water, it poses a serious risk to fish and other aquatic life. A fish caught in a discarded line can suffer and die needlessly. If you can, retrieve snagged lines and dispose of them properly. A little effort goes a long way in protecting the ecosystem.
The Problem of Invasive Species
Invasive species are a growing threat to freshwater fisheries. These non-native species can outcompete, prey on, or introduce diseases to native fish populations, leading to ecological imbalance. It’s crucial to learn to identify invasive species and never release them back into the water. Also, make it a habit to clean your watercraft thoroughly before moving between bodies of water to prevent the spread of these unwanted invaders.
Snagging: A No-Go Zone
Snagging fish is not only unethical but often illegal. It involves catching fish by hooking them in the body rather than the mouth, causing unnecessary injury and stress. Using appropriate tackle for your target species is key to ethical fishing. Heavy tackle for big muskies or pike, for instance, reduces the fight time and increases the fish's chance of survival if released.
Know the Regulations
Each area has its own set of fishing regulations designed to protect fish populations and ensure sustainable fishing practices. While we won’t dive into the specifics—since they vary so widely from place to place—it’s up to each angler to know and follow the rules in their area. Ignorance isn’t an excuse.
Reporting Spills and Being Considerate
If you come across an oil or gas spill, report it. These pollutants can devastate a waterway, harming fish and other wildlife. And while we’re on the topic of being responsible, remember to be considerate both on the water and the shoreline. Respect other anglers, boaters, and the environment.
Educate, Don’t Slander
It’s easy to get frustrated when we see someone behaving irresponsibly, but slandering others rarely changes minds. Instead, educate them. Share what you know about ethical fishing practices and why they matter. Most people want to do the right thing—they just need the right information.
Proper Fish Handling and Catch and Release
If you’re practicing catch and release, use the right tools—like barbless hooks and rubber nets—to minimize injury to the fish. Handle fish gently, keep them in the water as much as possible, and release them quickly. Using appropriate equipment specific to the species you're targeting is also important. This means, for example, using heavy rods, reels and tackle when targeting Musky instead of light setups that will take unnecessarily long to land and will reduce the risk of exhausting these marvelous fish to the brink of death. Remember, the goal is to give them the best chance at survival.
Additionally, when practicing catch and release, it’s crucial to be mindful of the depth from which you’re reeling in fish. Unlike Lake Trout, which can "burp" their swim bladder to adjust for changes in pressure, most freshwater species like panfish, Bass, and Walleye don’t have this ability. If you're pulling these fish up from deep water, you risk causing a condition known as barotrauma.
Barotrauma happens when fish experience a rapid change in water pressure—like when you reel them in from 35-40 feet or deeper. Down in the depths, the water pressure is much higher, and fish acclimate to that pressure over time. When you bring them up too quickly, the pressure decreases dramatically, causing their swim bladder and other organs to expand rapidly. This can result in severe physical trauma, such as the swim bladder protruding from their mouth or their eyes bulging out.
Some anglers try to reverse mild effects of barotrauma using special techniques, but often, the damage is fatal. Even if the fish swims away looking fine, there's a high chance it won’t survive.
There’s a lot of debate about how deep is too deep when it comes to targeting fish like Bass and Walleye, with valid arguments on both sides backed by scientific evidence. Our take? If you’re fishing deep for species other than Lake Trout, it’s a good idea to plan on keeping those fish. If you’re aiming for catch and release, consider targeting them in shallower waters where barotrauma is less of a concern.
Use the Whole Fish
When you do decide to keep a fish, use as much of it as possible. Don’t just harvest for roe and discard the rest. Proper fish cleaning and preparation can reduce waste and make the most of your catch. There are lots of ways you can use otherwise inedible parts of a fish carcass: For example The Intrepid Eater not only provides you with mouth watering freshwater fish recipes (among endless other non-fish recipes), but also has a detailed guide on breaking down Northern Pike and how you can use parts like the head, collar and bones to make outrageously delicious dishes.
Limit What You Keep, Don't Keep Your Limit
Just because the regulations allow you to keep a certain number of fish doesn’t mean you have to. If you’re not going to consume or give it away it in a reasonable time, consider letting that fish go. Freezer-burned fish is wasted fish.
Why Selective Harvest Matters
Selective harvest is about more than just choosing which fish to take home for dinner. It’s a principle that promotes sustainability and helps maintain the health of fish populations in our freshwater ecosystems. One key aspect of selective harvest is the practice of releasing both very large and very small fish.
Releasing large fish is crucial for the future of fish populations. In many species, the largest fish are often the older breeder females. These fish are essential because they carry the genes that have allowed them to grow large and strong, contributing to a healthy gene pool. Plus, larger females produce far more eggs than their smaller counterparts—sometimes exponentially more. By releasing these big fish, we ensure that their superior genetics are passed on to future generations, leading to healthier and potentially larger fish populations.
Conversely, it’s just as important to release very small fish. These younger fish typically haven’t reached sexual maturity yet and haven’t had the chance to spawn. By letting them go, we give them the opportunity to grow, mature, and contribute to the reproductive cycle. After all, there’s not much meat on a small fish anyway, and letting them grow into a larger size means they have a chance to become those big breeders we just talked about.
Through selective harvest—taking home only the fish that are of moderate size and releasing both the largest and smallest—we help to maintain balanced fish populations. This practice not only supports conservation efforts but also ensures that there are plenty of fish for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future. Selective harvest is a key component of ethical fishing, underscoring our role as stewards of the waterways we love.
Fish for the Memories
At the end of the day, fishing is about more than just the fish—it’s about the experience. The memories we make on the water with friends and family are what truly last. So, fish for the memories, practice ethical fishing, and do your part to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same experiences.
By embracing the principles of selective harvest and ethical fishing practices, we become stewards of our freshwater fisheries. It is our duty to leave these waters better than we found them—for our kids, our grandkids, and all the anglers to come.