Releasing fish.

[TOAD]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

What did anyone make of the comment in the news release cancelling a fishing derby (one of them)that said that salmon that had been previously hooked were smaller and weighed less?

I went and found the link again. It says, "Hook wounded fish are smaller and weigh less." I don't know if that is true but that is the accurate quote. Sorry for any confusion.

I have never heard of that before but that doesn't mean it isn't so. I have caught fish with up to 3 hooks in them and didn't even take any notice of the fact the injuries might have had an effect on their size.

I "guess" there have been studies of tagged fish that have and have not been injured or wounded and the injured tagged fish of the same age and release dates are smaller on average that those that have not been hooked or wounded. It makes sense from a medical standpoint but I would doubt that an actual study like that has been conducted....of course I could be wrong. It could also be just a statement thrown out there with no factual basis to support and agenda or a program.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by TOAD

I have never heard of that before but that doesn't mean it isn't so. I have caught fish with up to 3 hooks in them and didn't even take any notice of the fact the injuries might have had an effect on their size.

I "guess" there have been studies of tagged fish that have and have not been injured or wounded and the injured tagged fish of the same age and release dates are smaller on average that those that have not been hooked or wounded. It makes sense from a medical standpoint but I would doubt that an actual study like that has been conducted....of course I could be wrong. It could also be just a statement thrown out there with no factual basis to support and agenda or a program.

I was thinking that if hook wounded fish are supposedly smaller and weigh less it could be that they are less able to eat as well after they are wounded?