How to PROPERLY release a wild Salmon after catching it

By Sherri Russell

Salmon angled, and then PROPERLY released will recover successfully in a short time and go on to spawn successfully.

Salmon angled are exerting themselves to an exhausted state in the same way a marathon runner might.

Most anglers, myself included, usually want to take a picture of their catch for bragging rights or memories of their trip.  For those of you who take photos, please remember to respect the fish you caught and handle it quickly and properly.

Once you catch a salmon, keep the fish’s head and gills under water until you are ready to take a picture.  Then carefully place the salmons head pointing “up stream” and hold the fish for a moment until the salmon can get the oxygen-bearing water it needs to recover from its exhaustion.  Then carefully release the fish.  The salmon will have a much better recovery rate and go on to spawn successfully.

I have witnessed many anglers catching female salmon and throwing them on the banks and then picking them back up a minute later for a photo session.  Then they just toss the fish back in the water, like a foot ball.   When the fish is exhausted and this drastically reduces the fish's chance for recovery.  The fact is that you only need ONE picture to tell a story.

I have seen many female salmon, full of eggs,  lying dead on the sides of the river banks that never got a chance to spawn as a result of anglers not properly caring and releasing the fish after their catch.  

We all need to do our part in preserving our wild life for future generations to enjoy.  You can start by practicing this simple technique and help save many more fish.