The Critical Importance of Proper Fish Handling in Streams: DFO’s Best Practices Explained

When you’re working with fish in streams—whether you’re fishing for fun, conducting research, or involved in conservation—it’s crucial to understand just how fragile these incredible creatures are. Fish, with their shimmering scales and delicate bodies, are highly sensitive to stress, injury, and environmental changes. Mishandling them, even unintentionally, can have devastating effects. That’s why the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has developed specific techniques to ensure that fish are handled with care. By following these guidelines, we can protect the health of fish populations, safeguard aquatic ecosystems, and enjoy sustainable fishing for generations to come.

Why Handling Fish with Care Is So Important

Fish aren’t just simple creatures of the water; they’re vital components of a complex ecosystem. Improper handling—like keeping a fish out of water too long or gripping it too tightly—can cause stress, disrupt their protective slime coating, or lead to fatal injuries. When fish become stressed or injured, their immune systems weaken, leaving them vulnerable to disease. In catch-and-release scenarios, ensuring the fish’s survival after release depends on how they’re handled. Proper fish handling is not only about saving individual fish but also about protecting entire populations, preserving biodiversity, and supporting healthy streams.

DFO’s Top Fish Handling Techniques: A Splash of Care and Caution

Here are the DFO’s most important fish handling tips, each designed to keep these wonderful creatures healthy and unharmed:

1. Limit Air Exposure: Give Fish the Breath They Desperately Need

Fish are born to breathe in water, not air! When you remove them from their watery world, their bodies quickly begin to suffer. That’s why it’s essential to limit their time out of water as much as possible. Think of it as holding your breath—anything more than 10 seconds is too long for them. If you must lift a fish from the stream, do it quickly and gently, and return them to the water as soon as you can. Every second counts.

2. Wet Your Hands: Keep Their Shimmering Coats Intact

Before touching a fish, always wet your hands or gloves. Fish are covered in a slippery, slimy coating that acts as their armor, protecting them from parasites and disease. Dry hands or gloves can strip away this natural defense, leaving the fish vulnerable. By simply wetting your hands, you help preserve their protective barrier, like a knight keeping their shield intact before heading into battle.

3. Use Gentle Nets: Cradle Fish in a Soft Embrace

Not all nets are created equal when it comes to safely handling fish. Avoid rough, knotted nets that can snag on scales, fins, and delicate gills. Instead, opt for soft, rubberized, knotless nets that are gentle on the fish’s body. Imagine you’re catching a butterfly—handle with care, and choose a net that feels more like a soft cradle than a trap.

4. Support the Fish’s Body: Handle Them Like Fragile Treasures

When lifting a fish, never grab them by the tail or gills alone. Their bodies are delicate, and improper support can lead to internal injuries that aren’t always visible. Instead, gently cradle the fish under the belly with one hand while using the other to support behind the head or tail. Think of holding a delicate vase or a fragile treasure—you wouldn’t want to crush or drop it.