When temperatures rise and water in our rivers and stillwaters warms beyond 19°C, fish can become stressed. Angling pressure and fish being caught can exacerbate the situation even further, potentially leading to fish mortalities.
Here are some tips to help keep fish safe in hot weather:
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Minimise time played and bring the fish in quickly
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Avoid keeping fish in keepnets
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Handle the fish as little as possible and only with wet hands
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Keep the fish in the water as much as possible – total air exposure during the whole process should be under 10 seconds.
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Photograph fish in the water or lift just for just a few seconds
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Keep the fish in the water facing upstream (in rivers) to help it recover
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Allow the fish to recover fully before releasing – the fish should be able to maintain an upright position
- Use a thermometer to take a quick water temperature reading before you fish: if it’s above 19 °C for salmon, trout or grayling, or 21 °C for large coarse species, consider not fishing. If in doubt, don’t fish.
Find more information on how to keep fish safe in hot weather HERE.