Influence of angling methods and terminal tackle on survival of salmon and steelhead caught and released in the Cowlitz River, Washington

• DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2023.106848
• Publication Date: 2023-09-13T12:31:59Z
• Authors: Ian I. Courter; Thomas Buehrens; Mark Roes; Tara E. Blackman; Benjamin Briscoe; Sean Gibbs
• Keywords: Catch and release; Hatchery; Mark and recapture

Efforts to recover depressed stocks of salmon and steelhead trout in North America include implementation mark-selective recreational fisheries, whereby anglers are allowed harvest hatchery-origin fish but must release natural-origin fish. Catch angling (C&R) is generally thought be an effective tool for conservation relative traditional retention fisheries due high survival released adult freshwater. Studies designed estimate C&R mortality have produced highly variable results among species size classes fish, gear types, environmental conditions. Therefore, crude approximations commonly used quantify impacts steelhead. In addition, managers often restrict use certain methods terminal tackle that assumed result higher mortality, leading a multiplicity different regulatory requirements with limited empirical support. We conducted novel three-year mark-recapture study the Cowlitz River, Washington effects variety factors hypothesized influence using control-treatment design. Three anadromous salmonids were captured as treatments various techniques tackle. Fight time, handling water temperature recorded during each capture event. Non-angled trap back into fishery serve controls. Recovery rates Coho Salmon differed less than percent between angled non-angled across multiple indicating negligible C&R. Angled Spring Chinook experienced 3.6–10.2 % control depending on Barbless hooks associated barbed both Salmon, although differences small Coho. contrast, recovered at slightly those caught barbless hooks. also found evidence reduction landing when Finally, bait increased probability would hooked critical location such esophagus or stomach. Our findings useful assessing trade-offs measures opportunity defining fishing regulations fisheries.