How To Learn Good Fishing Practices

 People who enjoy fishing should practice things that will help to conserve public fisheries, so that future generations can also enjoy them.

1. Leave Fishing Areas Clean - When an area is being fished, it should be left clean and ideally, cleaner than it was found. When snacks and soft drinks are enjoyed while fishing empty containers and packages, should not be left on the grounds of a fishery. Unused live bait such as worms or minnows should not be left on the bank, to decompose and leave an unpleasant stench for other fishermen who might wish to fish in the same spot.

   It is also important that monofilament line from re-spooling a fishing reel or even small lengths of it that are cut off, are properly disposed-of. This will prevent animals such as turtles and water fowl, from becoming entangled in the line which can cause them injury or death.

2. Catch and Release - If legal limits of fish that are being caught are not going to be eaten, they should be released so that game fish populations remain strong in fisheries. If a trophy-size fish is caught, a still-photo or video camera can commemorate the event and allow for release of the fish afterward. Pictures or videos should be taken quickly due to the fact that a fish can be injured or can die if they are not returned to the water within 5 minutes of being caught. Fish can also be kept alive in aerated tanks until they can be taken to a registered weigh station provided by an area Fish and Game Department and released after the fish is officially measured for length and weight.
3. Stock Youth Fishing Ponds - Some cities have youth fishing ponds in their parks. When practicing the catch and release methods described above, another method would be to release fish caught in lakes into these local fisheries provided for youth and senior citizens. Most states recognize the age limit for youth to fish without a license, ending at age-16 and the limit for senior citizens to fish without a license starting at age-65. Local city parks that provide fishing ponds often allow youth and senior-age people in these age-categories to fish in them. Releasing more fish of the species that are already provided in these ponds will give added opportunity for these age-groups to catch more fish.
4. Obey Game Fish Regulations - Fishermen should always check with their area Game and Fish Departments, who can provide them brochures that detail the regulations for each species of fish. It will provide them information on size limits (length of fish that can be kept) and numbers of fish that can be legally kept. If your state provides a fish and game type magazine which are often provided free of charge these will usually contain fishing regulations as well, in addition to information on the best times to fish for each species.

These regulations are designed to preserve fish populations in fisheries so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the sport for many generations to come.