Angling Tips

Here are a few tips and suggestions for handling fish. This is particularly important when the water is warm.

Keep fish wet – imagine what would happen if a giant fish held your head underwater for a few minutes. That similar to what happens if you hold a fish out of water.

If you do want to take picture,

  • Try an underwater photo
  • Keep the fish in the water, or in the net and only lift for a few seconds.
  • Minimize touching the fish, they are covered in a protective layer of mucus that rubs off when handled
Burbot in the North Saskatchewan River

Other tips

  • Read up on regulations.   Know when waters are open and closed, what kinds of fish (if any) you are allowed to keep and how you are allowed to fish.
  • Know how to identify fish – Especially Alberta’s native trout that have angling restrictions. 
  • Avoid angling in warm condition.  Fish get tired more easily in warm water and have less capacity to get oxygen.
  • Consider barbless and single hooks (not trebles) to reduce damage and handling time.

For more tips on handling fish, there are good resources on MyWildAlberta.ca