Why are more fish not released

[Big fat pike]

  On 4/1/2025 at 11:18 PM, LongLine said:

What is the advantage to a slot limit on Salmon?

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Fish goes back Has a decent chance at spawning

 

Genetics spread to offspring if they are successful

 

 

[LongLine]

I agree that any properly resuscitated & released salmon (that hasn't been foul hooked or mangled up) has a very high chance of survival.  Keyword being resuscitated. If released like Bass fishermen do on TV, they won't survive, regardless of whether they're in the slot or not.  Having a slot doesn't prevent them being landed.

 

In a small boat it's fairly easy to resuscitate a salmon. It's also easy to release them before they're brought in the boat. It's precarious to do either in most lake boats that I've seen as the freeboard is too high or there's too much gear along the sides to reach the water line. I suppose one could resuscitate with a net but I don't know how one would keep the fish upright and headfirst. 

[Gill-T]

Slot limits are used in fisheries management when a species is reliant on natural reproduction and is in trouble. 

[Big fat pike]

  On 4/2/2025 at 1:39 AM, Gill-T said:

Slot limits are used in fisheries management when a species is reliant on natural reproduction and is in trouble. 

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Fair but any fish species that is reliant on natural reproduction is gonna hurt every time a big fish is no longer there to spawn

[HB2]

  On 4/1/2025 at 4:36 PM, chowder said:

Also a charter capt and agree with Rich. Rule on my boat is - if a legal fish comes over the side it counts towards your limit whether you keep it or not, for 2 simple reasons; #1. On average a fish released may or even more likely will probably not survive. #2. We can’t get into a situation in a derby where a customer wants to ‘release’ fish after fish to the detriment of the fishery.

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So how does this work ? Say 2 guys pay for an all day charter and limit out in 2 hrs , even if they are C&R and you count released fish towards their limit .  Do you as a captain pull lines and head back to port and you are done for the day after 2 hrs  ? Do they pay the full day fee or do you refund them and charge them half or quarter day? 

[chowder]

I’m not aware of any reputable USCG licensed captains in my area who encourage customers to entertain the idea of using crew or captain’s limit.

Edited April 2 by chowder

[Tall Tails]

I will put my 2 cents in here.  Yes if I have 2 people and we limit in 2hrs the trip is done.  It is illegal to continue fishing.  The captain and mate are not in the act of fishing.  The clients are.  If you are reeling in a fish outside of your limit, that is illegal.  When the people onboard who are in the act of fishing have a limit, your done for the day.  This goes whether you are on your own boat or a charter.  Now I agree most people don't read the law that way, but that is how it is written.  Are there grey areas?  Sure.   Also, why would I want to continue fishing and hooking fish and releasing?  I might need those fish for an afternoon trip or the following morning.  I am doing myself a major disservice for future clients.    

[GAMBLER]

  On 4/2/2025 at 11:48 AM, Tall Tails said:

I will put my 2 cents in here.  Yes if I have 2 people and we limit in 2hrs the trip is done.  It is illegal to continue fishing.  The captain and mate are not in the act of fishing.  The clients are.  If you are reeling in a fish outside of your limit, that is illegal.  When the people onboard who are in the act of fishing have a limit, your done for the day.  This goes whether you are on your own boat or a charter.  Now I agree most people don't read the law that way, but that is how it is written.  Are there grey areas?  Sure.   Also, why would I want to continue fishing and hooking fish and releasing?  I might need those fish for an afternoon trip or the following morning.  I am doing myself a major disservice for future clients.    

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You are not Illegal if you continue fishing as long as you haven't boxed an Atlantic over 25" and 2 lakers for each client.  

[Yankee Troller]

  On 4/2/2025 at 12:58 PM, GAMBLER said:

You are not Illegal if you continue fishing as long as you haven't boxed an Atlantic over 25" and 2 lakers for each client.  

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Jerry F always says no captain on Lake O has ever limited out becasue of this.

[GAMBLER]

  On 4/2/2025 at 1:05 PM, Yankee Troller said:

 

Jerry F always says no captain on Lake O has ever limited out becasue of this.

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Most will not catch 4 legal Atlantics in a season, let alone one day!  

[fisherdude]

anyone try a deep water release fishing the Finger Lakes you get a lot of lake trout spring time they go back no problem when it's 75° water sometimes I wonder if they make it even after nursing them and burping them.

[LongLine]

Technically the Capt & crew are fishing as the purpose of a charter is to assist a client to catch fish.  DEC regs define fishing as:

"Fishing means the taking, killing, netting, capturing, or withdrawal of fish by any means. This includes every attempt to take fish, plus assisting another person in taking or attempting to take fish."

 

Interesting debate.  Legality and Sportsman morality can be different things. IMO, capt is responsible for what happens on his boat and as long as it's legal, sets the rules. 

 

 

[GAMBLER]

  On 4/2/2025 at 1:15 AM, LongLine said:

I agree that any properly resuscitated & released salmon (that hasn't been foul hooked or mangled up) has a very high chance of survival.  Keyword being resuscitated. If released like Bass fishermen do on TV, they won't survive, regardless of whether they're in the slot or not.  Having a slot doesn't prevent them being landed.

 

In a small boat it's fairly easy to resuscitate a salmon. It's also easy to release them before they're brought in the boat. It's precarious to do either in most lake boats that I've seen as the freeboard is too high or there's too much gear along the sides to reach the water line. I suppose one could resuscitate with a net but I don't know how one would keep the fish upright and headfirst. 

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The boga grip on a rope trick works awesome for boats with high free board.  

[Sk8man]

I share Fisherdude's concern about whether catch and release fish actually make it after release; especially when netted and placed on a hot deck and coming from warm water. I seldom if ever bring fish into the boat or even net them when in my own boat. I use needle nosed pliers at the side of the boat and use single hooks to facilitate this. I figure if the fish isn't touched or traumatized by netting or bringing into the boat they have a much better chance of survival but the question atill remains: Do they actually make it after the fisght (maybe lactic acid buildup might croak them?).  This method doesn't apply to walleyes or perch however. If they are big enough they are bled out and "coolerized"

[Smat64]

Anyone have a guesstimate on how many fish are being caught vs total population? Just wondering if it is on the radar, so to speak. 
 

also if all these fish are released and die where do they all go? Few seagull bites and they sink?

[lost a lure]

  On 4/2/2025 at 10:39 AM, chowder said:

I’m not aware of any reputable USCG licensed captains in my area who encourage customers to entertain the idea of using crew or captain’s limit.

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Saiff to say that about most

[SusanJames]

  On 4/2/2025 at 4:34 PM, lost a lure said:

Saiff to say that about most

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Agreed

Edited April 2 by SusanJames
correction

[mudflat]

  On 4/2/2025 at 2:58 PM, fisherdude said:

anyone try a deep water release fishing the Finger Lakes you get a lot of lake trout spring time they go back no problem when it's 75° water sometimes I wonder if they make it even after nursing them and burping them.

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I use a Seaqualizer for shakers and lakers during the summer when I am fishing deep.  I keep it attached to my 4th rigger so it is ready to go, snap it on and send them back down slowly.  I don't know if it helps but at least I don't see them floating on top.  If the fish is bleeding too much and is legal it goes in the box.

 

Shop - SeaQualizer

 

[Scalloper 1]

  On 4/2/2025 at 7:31 AM, HB2 said:

So how does this work ? Say 2 guys pay for an all day charter and limit out in 2 hrs , even if they are C&R and you count released fish towards their limit .  Do you as a captain pull lines and head back to port and you are done for the day after 2 hrs  ? Do they pay the full day fee or do you refund them and charge them half or quarter day? 

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Thats what most captains do

[HB2]

So theoretically 2 guys could go on an 8 hr charter and limit out with small  salmon  in 1 1/2  on a great day and the capt says we're done and head back to port and charge for an  8 hr charter  ? Does this actually happen ?  

Edited April 3 by HB2

[Legacy]

This thread is giving me a headache...

[Scalloper 1]

  On 4/3/2025 at 7:13 PM, HB2 said:

So theoretically 2 guys could go on an 8 hr charter and limit out with small  salmon  in 1 1/2  on a great day and the capt says we're done and head back to port and charge for an  8 hr charter  ? Does this actually happen ?  

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All the time.

[tyler.woodard04]

So what about tournament fishing?  Guys keeping a legal fish if they don't think it will make the board 

What about by catch outside of a open season?

Do the regs say you must keep a legal size fish?

 

Just playing devils advocate is all

[GAMBLER]

  On 4/11/2025 at 11:42 AM, tyler.woodard04 said:

So what about tournament fishing?  Guys keeping a legal fish if they don't think it will make the board 

What about by catch outside of a open season?

Do the regs say you must keep a legal size fish?

 

Just playing devils advocate is all

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It's managed as a put and take fishery.  If it wasn't for tournaments and charters taking fish out of the lake, the alewife population would be in trouble.