FISH CONSERVATION
Many catfish anglers believe it's impossible to hurt a catfish population with hook and line. they're wrong. Heavy angling pressure can have a dramatic effect on catfish populations if is 
not tempered by conservation. Big catfish are especially vulnerable, because once these ancients are removed; it takes years to replace them. Remove a trophy catfish from a river or lake, and it might be your elder. Chances are, it may not be replaced by a fish of similar size during your lifetime. Unfortunately, research indicates that catfish anglers release less than 2 percent of their catch. Increased fishing pressure combined with a "take-'em-home-and-eat'-em" philosophy is making big catfish harder and harder to find in many waters.
This is true for channel catfish. Trophy fish are old uncommon fish. Yet many anglers never consider releasing any of the fish they catch, especially big ones. As more and more anglers join the cat fis
hing fraternity, it becomes increasingly important for us to become conservation-minded anglers. If we don't, we may lose many of the outstanding fisheries that now exist. But that doesn't mean that every catfish has to be released. If harvested wisely, there should be plenty of catfish to keep and eat. It's important however, that we're selective about our harvest. Small catfish are more numerous than big ones, so if you're fish hungry, keep some of the smaller guys to eat. Try to resist the temptation of keeping the big heavyweights. Take some pictures and then carefully release the fish. Voluntary catch and release is a good way to protect our outstanding catfishing opportunities.
Fisherman have other obligations,too. It's important that we all work together to keep our lakes and rivers clean.
not tempered by conservation. Big catfish are especially vulnerable, because once these ancients are removed; it takes years to replace them. Remove a trophy catfish from a river or lake, and it might be your elder. Chances are, it may not be replaced by a fish of similar size during your lifetime. Unfortunately, research indicates that catfish anglers release less than 2 percent of their catch. Increased fishing pressure combined with a "take-'em-home-and-eat'-em" philosophy is making big catfish harder and harder to find in many waters.This is true for channel catfish. Trophy fish are old uncommon fish. Yet many anglers never consider releasing any of the fish they catch, especially big ones. As more and more anglers join the cat fis
hing fraternity, it becomes increasingly important for us to become conservation-minded anglers. If we don't, we may lose many of the outstanding fisheries that now exist. But that doesn't mean that every catfish has to be released. If harvested wisely, there should be plenty of catfish to keep and eat. It's important however, that we're selective about our harvest. Small catfish are more numerous than big ones, so if you're fish hungry, keep some of the smaller guys to eat. Try to resist the temptation of keeping the big heavyweights. Take some pictures and then carefully release the fish. Voluntary catch and release is a good way to protect our outstanding catfishing opportunities.Fisherman have other obligations,too. It's important that we all work together to keep our lakes and rivers clean.
Santiago's Guide Service operates under a special use permit with the
Sequoia National Forest and operates on a nondiscriminatory basis.
To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights,
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410, or call toll free, 866-632-9992.
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