Fishing News

Bass make their nests close to shore in shallow water.   Please be careful not to disturb them with power watercraft, swimming or fishing to close to shore in May or June.  The picture on the right is an aerial view of multiple bass nests in June. 

Anglers are kindly asked not to fish too close to the shoreline which is commonly reserved for safe swimming, family fun (people, docks and rafts), water habitat (fish, frogs, minks, beavers, newborn animals, nests, etc.) and nature gazing.

Who doesn’t love to land a really BIG fish and get bragging rights via a few quick pic’s before “releasing the beast?” While landing an exceptional fish can make for lasting memories, we, as ethical anglers, should educate ourselves on practices that enhance a successful release. Common injuries to fish include exhaustion from overplaying; deep hook sets; oxygen deprivation; damage from dropping, etc; but did you know that how you HOLD a fish, especially a heavy one, can harm its chances at survival?

Lifting a heavy fish vertically, i.e. from the water, to check its weight or for photographs can cause separation of the vertebrae, especially in (but NOT exclusive to) long fish like northern pike. In some instances, an unmistakable “pop” can be heard. Whether it’s being hung from the jaw, gill plate or tail makes no difference – if the vertebrae separate, the fish likely dies. Just as in people, spinal cord injuries in fish can be devastating. I’ve often wondered why fish “calm down” when being held vertically. The answer is because there is so much strain on the spinal cord that they are nearly paralyzed. 

Most biologists and conservation staffers agree: if you must lift a big fish, it’s crucial to support most of its weight by placing one hand firmly under its belly. (Bass species under 3 lbs. may be briefly held vertically; heavier ones require belly support.)

All bass can sustain mortal injury by another improper hold that’s popular among bass enthusiasts and tournament anglers. While dangling from its lower lip, the fish’s body is tilted upward at a horizontal angle, placing tremendous stress on the lower jaw. Injuries can include soft tissue and muscle damage or jaw fracture, usually leading to death as the bass can no longer feed. Fish often swim away, only to succumb later.

Admitting that we may have been harming fish for years from improper handling is not a good feeling. However, it’s never too late to do the right thing, and by changing the way we handle big fish today, we can help ensure a healthy fishery for tomorrow.

Margie Manthey, Fishing Director – WLA