Catch & Release Species?

[Parasite]

Of all the species available to Washington anglers, which species should we always release to keep the species viable? I know wild steelhead for sure, but are there other species that I should watch out for, regardless of whether if the regulations say we can keep them? I'm just trying to educate myself here. I'm not getting into the whole harvest vs. C&R debate that happens in the trout fishing world. Just trying to understand the fragileness of some species here,

[dreamunelk]

I wouldn't worry about it much.  I you are allowed to keep it.  Them do so if you want.  I personally do not keep wild steelhead and sea run cutthroat.  That is my choice.  I may start keeping a few cuts as they are doing pretty well in the areas I fish.  I can only eat so much fish also so C.R. allows me to fish a little more if I want to.

[7mmCoug]

Other than the species mentioned already, any native trout.  Just a personal choice.  If it’s legal, and you want a couple then go for it.

[lokidog]

I'm only a C&R guy when I have to, usually. I haven't fished for them for a while, but most put and take trout got put back as I think they taste like crap.

[j_h_nimrod]

I don’t fish much anymore, but a lot depends on location. Some species are very robust in some areas and low in others so would depend on my judgement.

Sturgeon are one I would likely release, though I have never eaten one and would like to try. Down here any big (>60lb) halibut if I ever catch one here.

Personally, I would keep all “wild” fish (in a legal season) I caught on principal...

[Crunchy]

Steelhead and trout are catch and release for me.  I dont eat either, so rarely fish for them.  but if i do catch and release.

[singleshot12]

I think any fish species that is threatened or endangered should just be left alone and not played with by the C&R generation. Never could understand why anyone would want to spend the time and money to stress a fish out, kiss it on the lips and send it on it's way.

[Crunchy]

It depends on the method of fishing.  Methods that dont endanger the fish other than the fight makes releasing them easy.  Bait is a no go as it increases the odds of more harm to the fish. 

[JimmyHoffa]

It depends on the method of fishing.  Methods that dont endanger the fish other than the fight makes releasing them easy.  Bait is a no go as it increases the odds of more harm to the fish.

I somewhat disagree.  My experiences with bait or yarn or a bead with a circle hook have all been consistent in where and how the hook beds--corner of the jaw.  A barbed treble hook on nearly anything seems to be most random and damaging, bait on a treble probably being the worst.  Single J hooks can be kind of variable.  I've had a few fish die from flies with J hook, seems they hook into the roof of the mouth or too far back.

[Stein]

I keep anything that is legal, either I like to eat it or crab do.


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[gaddy]

Personally, I don't fish for anything I'm not going to eat. I love to fish, and love the battle but if there's not an opportunity for dinner I'm out. 

[Jake Dogfish]

I think any fish species that is threatened or endangered should just be left alone and not played with by the C&R generation. Never could understand why anyone would want to spend the time and money to stress a fish out, kiss it on the lips and send it on it's way.

Killing something should never be a requirement for fishing.  Wether you understand hiking boating or any other reason to get outside is your opinion and should not have impact on others freedom to do so.  Many waters on the westside would be closed completely if there was not a catch and release season.
PETA has successfully banned catch and release fishing in some European countries.  They are trying to do the same thing here disguising it as “mandatory retention”. Many fishermen support “mandatory retention” not understanding it is essentially a ban on C and R.

[huntnnw]

some steelhead rivers have laws that you have to keep hatchery steelhead if you land one. I release almost all steelhead as I dont like to eat them.

[bornhunter]

Could you guys start practicing C & GTM (give to me)?

[buckhorn2]

In the ocean in my opinion you should keep the first two fish you catch Finn or no Finn we lose far to many silvers realeasing natives.