National Catch and Release Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

The second Saturday of April is National Catch and Release Day. This year’s event occurs on April 8. It is annually observed on the second Saturday of April. It is a day to honour all anglers, regardless of skill level, who practise catch-and-release fishing. It is also the ideal time to advocate to other recreational fishermen this technique that helps conserve native fish species. We applaud this catch-and-release technique because it has no negative impact on native fish populations. By releasing fish back into the water, this technique promotes increased fish populations and a healthy ecosystem.

The background of National Catch and Release Day

The original purpose of fishing was to provide sustenance for man by capturing fish in freshwater or saltwater using a rod, line, and hook. Fishing is still prevalent today, both as a sport and as an economic contributor in some nations.

Catch-and-release is a recreational fishing practise in which fish are returned to the water after capture. Typically, fast measurement and weighing are performed first, then a photograph is taken as visual evidence of the catch, and finally the fish is unhooked and returned to the water alive. With barbless barbs and a slack line, the fish can be released without being removed from the water. It was created to prevent the overexploitation of salmon as a result of increasing ecological pressure, expanding human populations, and habitat degradation.

This technique has been used by sport fishermen for decades, particularly for overfished species. Don Martinez, the proprietor of a fly shop in Montana, popularised it in his 1930s-1940s newsletters sent to eastern anglers. To minimise the cost of stocking hatchery-raised trout, it was first introduced in 1952 in Michigan. Those who fish for recreation rather than food adopted the concept of releasing fish caught in no-kill zones. Today, in many regions of the United States and Canada, individual streams and lakes are managed with a focus on reducing capture limits and enhancing habitat quality. The focus of fisheries management is shifting from restocking rivers and lakes to enhancing extant water habitats and quality. This is done so that a body of water’s species can flourish through natural reproduction.

Activities on National Catch-and-Release Day

Employ grab and release techniques

Are you fishing? Today is the ideal time to practise catch-and-release techniques.

Organize a fishing film festival featuring

“A River Runs Through It,” “The Perfect Storm,” and “The Old Man and the Sea.” These are some movies you can view if you are unable to access a boat and fishing rod.

Enjoy a fish feast.

Feel free to prepare a simple fish and chips dinner at home or a gourmet fish entrée in a restaurant. Regardless of your preference, today is an ideal day to enjoy the bounty of the sea.

5 FACTS REGARDING CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHING

They are quicker and simpler to remove, allowing you to swiftly return the fish to the water.

Capture and release the fish as quickly as possible, as fatigued fish have a lower chance of survival.

Be prepared to take the photo prior to removing the fish from the water, and strive for less than 30 seconds.

Before handling fish, dunk the net in the water and wet your palms to avoid damaging their mucus-like skin.

Place the fish in calmer water and allow water to flow through its gills until it regains consciousness and swiftly escapes your grasp.

NATIONAL CATCH AND RELEASE DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	April 9	Saturday
2023	April 8	Saturday
2024	April 13	Saturday
2025	April 12	Saturday
2026	April 11	Saturday