Catch‐and‐Release Ice Fishing: Status, Issues, and Research Needs

Abstract

Catch-and-release (C&R) ice fishing is a popular form of recreational angling. At present, there is a considerable deficiency in our understanding of how ice angling affects the physiology, behavior, and survival of fish. Thus, the purpose of this review was to summarize our current knowledge of the consequences of winter C&R fishing on fish biology and to identify key knowledge gaps. Our synthesis revealed that in addition to the typical stressors encountered from C&R fishing during the open-water season, fish that are caught through the ice are subject to several unique challenges, including exposure to subzero air temperatures upon landing as well as unique gear types that are not commonly used in the summer (i.e., passive angling techniques). We currently understand that while C&R angling causes a generalized stress response, cold environments may mute or delay these effects and may also come with additional deleterious consequences, such as tissue freezing. Interestingly, reported mortality can be low following release but can be influenced by gear type, barotrauma, and hooking location. Postrelease behaviors and the spatial ecology of ice-angled fish are poorly understood, but technologies such as telemetry and biologgers and an intensification of research on the topic are starting to produce new insights in this area. As it stands, research on the consequences of winter C&R angling is largely restricted to a handful of popular sport fish species, and these consequences are likely

An examination of freezing in yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) following ice fishing using a histological approach

“…Tissues were stained with 1% toluidine blue +1% borax stain and sectioned along the sagittal plane at 1.5 μm thickness. These images were taken at a variety of magnifications and the scale bars in the image, where present, represent 100 μm northern climates is understudied (Lawrence et al, 2022). Our results indicate important tissues are freezing in environments with air temperatures below 0°C following capture, and there may be respiratory consequences for fish as aneurysms were observed within the delicate secondary lamellae of the gills.…”

“…The exploratory approach we used poses many questions for future study as the impacts of ice fishing on freshwater fishes in northern climates is understudied (Lawrence et al, 2022). Our results indicate important tissues are freezing in environments with air temperatures below 0°C following capture, and there may be respiratory consequences for fish as aneurysms were observed within the delicate secondary lamellae of the gills.…”

“…Fish were haphazardly assigned to either the control or the treatment group. Fish in the treatment group ( n = 8) were measured for total length, weighed to the nearest g, and then placed on the ice for a 3‐min ice and air exposure (ice temperature: −3 ± 0.73°C; a 3‐min exposure duration is a realistic duration to have fish on the ice prior to release; Lawrence et al, 2022; Grausgruber et al, 2021). Fish were laid on the ice freely and were not gripped or held during the 3‐min exposure.…”

“…The process of ice fishing involves fish being hooked, retrieved, and then handled out of water. Landed fish are often held in the air or on ice for a few seconds to several minutes to remove hooks and to take measurements and photos (Lawrence et al, 2022). While fish are frequently harvested, many fish are released back into the water through the hole in the ice for a variety of reasons, including conservation ethics and morals, bycatch, culling, and harvest regulations (Arlinghaus et al, 2007; Cooke & Suski, 2005; Grausgruber et al, 2021).…”

An updated review of cold shock and cold stress in fish

“…Together, these data suggest relative resilience to cold stress in bluegill and largemouth bass acclimatized to cold water; nonetheless, minimizing air exposure and handling stress remains an important welfare consideration as it is in warmer months (Bieber et al ., 2019). As recreational angling in winter seasons is a popular activity in North America and elsewhere, and exposure of fish to sub‐freezing air temperatures during winter angling is virtually inevitable (Lawrence et al ., n.d.), further investigations of the welfare associated with ice fishing handling practices and cold shock are warranted.…”