Fishing is a fun and exciting sport, but it can also be very challenging. For this reason, many people want to commemorate finally reeling in a big trophy catch by cooking it up for dinner or mounting it on the wall. But before you get out a frying pan or head to the taxidermist, you might want to think about some of the benefits of catch and release fishing.
Catch and release fishing is a sustainable form of recreational fishing that makes the experience less harmful to the fish and the environment, but still gives you the thrill and satisfaction of conquering some big game. Take a minute to read about some of the greatest advantages of this fishing technique that’ll have you rethinking the best way to celebrate your victory!
1) The Fish Will Grow in Size and Population
The best part of heading out on a fishing trip, by yourself or with your family, is trying to see how much you can reel in—and how big of a catch you can handle! It’s disappointing when you’re out on the water and find yourself sitting there waiting for something to bite. It’s even more disheartening when you finally feel a pull and end up with a tiny fish.
Catch and release fishing allows fish to grow over time. This will leave you with bigger fish to catch each year. Some people even end up catching the same trophy fish two years in a row and can see for themselves how much it’s grown! Catch and release also gives fish the chance to reproduce, resulting in a larger population to fish from for anglers and maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
2) There’s More Opportunity for Other Fishermen
Most fisheries limit the number of large trophy fish that can be caught and harvested—but the numbers still add up. If every fisherman is removing the legal limit of fish each year, the waterways can be left pretty scarce.
Releasing large trophy fish keeps the fishing community full and lively by allowing every angler to reel in large game. Catch and release fishing improves the quality of the fishing opportunities available each year, allowing everyone to have a satisfying and valuable experience.
3) Younger Fish Are Healthier to Eat
Catch and release fishing is healthier not just for the fish population and environment, but for you too! Older fish have more time to absorb toxins and pollutants that might be in the water—including chemicals such as mercury and PCBs—making them less healthy for us to consume.
In fact, many fisheries don’t recommend eating larger game fish at all so as not to expose yourself to any contamination. Gamefish on the lower end of the scale, like small bass and panfish, are more ideal for your diet.
At Lawrence Bay Lodge, we practice catch and release fishing to ensure there will always be large trophy fish swimming around for you to catch on your next vacation in Northern Saskatchewan. We offer great photo ops and take pride in the great fishing opportunities we offer our guests.
Book a trip with us today for our Canadian trophy northern pike fishing, lake trout fishing, grayling fishing, walleye fishing and more!
