Q.Fishing Regulations & Conservation
What is catch and release and does it work?
A.
Catch and release is the practice of returning caught fish to the water alive, ideally unharmed. It works as a conservation tool when done correctly — proper handling techniques (minimizing fight time, supporting fish horizontally, quick releases) produce survival rates above 90% for most species. Poorly executed releases (long fights, mishandling) can have much lower survival.
State regulations pages cover species-specific catch-and-release rules.