12-23-2010, 05:39 PM
i have not read anything that states putting the fish on the ice for a brief period
will hurt them. I have read that over handling of trout can hurt them, so I don't see a problem with laying it on the ice if need be to help control the fish for hook removal. There are numerous books on trout fishing and everything that I have read says to get the fish in and off the hook as quickly as possible a prolonged fight stresses the fish and increases mortality.
I was always under the assumption that you needed to get them in as quickly as possible and as long as they are not bleeding from the gills and blatantly handled roughly they should be fine. I grew up fishing for trout mostly and majority of those I caught and didn't keep swam away, I would imagine if they were going to die they would do so in a short time not days later, I like to think I am doing everything I can to insure the fish will survive but I am not an expert and never will claim to be one. [fishon]
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will hurt them. I have read that over handling of trout can hurt them, so I don't see a problem with laying it on the ice if need be to help control the fish for hook removal. There are numerous books on trout fishing and everything that I have read says to get the fish in and off the hook as quickly as possible a prolonged fight stresses the fish and increases mortality.
I was always under the assumption that you needed to get them in as quickly as possible and as long as they are not bleeding from the gills and blatantly handled roughly they should be fine. I grew up fishing for trout mostly and majority of those I caught and didn't keep swam away, I would imagine if they were going to die they would do so in a short time not days later, I like to think I am doing everything I can to insure the fish will survive but I am not an expert and never will claim to be one. [fishon]
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