Catch-and-Release Ice Fishing: Status, Issues, and Research Needs

Catch-and-release (C&R) ice fishing is a popular form of recreational angling. At present, there is a considerable deficiency in our understanding of how ice angling affects the physiology, behavior, and survival of fish. Thus, the purpose of this review was to summarize our current knowledge of the consequences of winter C&R fishing on fish biology and to identify key knowledge gaps. Our synthesis revealed that in addition to the typical stressors encountered from C&R fishing during the open-water season, fish that are caught through the ice are subject to several unique challenges, including exposure to subzero air temperatures upon landing as well as unique gear types that are not commonly used in the summer (i.e., passive angling techniques). We currently understand that while C&R angling causes a generalized stress response, cold environments may mute or delay these effects and may also come with additional deleterious consequences, such as tissue freezing. Interestingly, reported mortality can be low following release but can be influenced by gear type, barotrauma, and hooking location. Postrelease behaviors and the spatial ecology of ice-angled fish are poorly understood, but technologies such as telemetry and biologgers and an intensification of research on the topic are starting to produce new insights in this area. As it stands, research on the consequences of winter C&R angling is largely restricted to a handful of popular sport fish species, and these consequences are likely not being considered in management and conservation contexts. Given the increasing popularity of the sport, furthering our understanding of C&R impacts in the winter represents a timely and important area of inquiry and can be used to develop more informed and effective C&R guidelines and management practices.

Automated summary

Currently, there is limited understanding of the impacts of catch-and-release ice fishing on fish biology, including their physiology, behavior, and survival. Ice-angled fish face unique challenges, such as exposure to subzero temperatures and the use of different gear types. Cold environments may mitigate the stress response, but can also cause tissue freezing. Mortality rates after release can be influenced by gear type, barotrauma, and hooking location. Further research is needed to understand postrelease behaviors and the spatial ecology of ice-angled fish in order to inform management practices. Overall, investigating the consequences of winter catch-and-release angling is essential for developing effective guidelines and practices.