Choosing your tackle

• Use strong line to bring your catch in quickly.
  
• Fish caught with flies or lures survive at a higher rate than fish caught with bait.
  
• Use hooks appropriate to the size of the fish.
  
• Use pliers to pinch barbs on hooks down.

Landing your catch

• Land your fish as carefully and quickly as possible.
  
• Avoid removing the fish from the water.
  
• Do not let fish flop about in shallow water, on the ground, or in the bottom of your boat.
  
• Use landing nets made with soft or knotless mesh.

Handling your catch

• Keep your fish in the water.
  
• Cradle large fish gently with both hands: one under its belly, one at the tail.
  
• Keep your fingers out of the way from the gills and eyes.
  
• Use wet hands or wet cloth gloves to handle the fish.
  
• Never squeeze the fish.
  
• Support fish in the water while your partner takes your picture. Fish can not remain healthy out of water for longer than you hold your breath.

Removing you hook

• Use long nose pliers to back the hook out.
  
• Remove the hook quickly, keeping the fish underwater.
  
• When the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line to release the fish. If the fish is bleeding form the gills, it is likely to die and you should keep it as part of your bag limit.
  
• Use steel hooks that will rust out, avoid stainless steel hooks.

Reviving you catch

• Keep your catch in the water at all times. If you want to take a photograph, have the photographer get ready, then lift the fish barely out of the water (unless prohibited by regulation e.g. king salmon in Cook Inlet) and quickly return it to the water.
  
• Point your catch in to a slow current, or gently move it back and forth until its gills are working properly and it maintains its balance. When the fish recovers and attempts to swim away, let it swim from your hands.
  
• Large fish may take some time to revive.

(Courtesy Alaska Dept of Fish and Game)
You can pick up pamphlets and additional information on catch and release at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center.