The Art of Proper Fish Handling: Giving Trout the Respect They Deserve

When it comes to trout fishing, the catch is only half the story. The real responsibility begins the moment that fish comes to hand. As passionate anglers—and especially as stewards of the waters we love—our job is to make sure every trout swims away strong and healthy. Proper fish handling isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a commitment to conservation, ethics, and the future of our fisheries.

Below are the fundamentals every angler should know. This is how we protect trout, honour the ecosystem, and ensure countless future memories on the water.

1. Never—Absolutely Never—Hold a Trout by the Gills

This is a firm rule with zero exceptions. Gill holding is one of the fastest ways to severely injure or kill a trout.

The gills aren’t handles—they’re delicate breathing organs packed with soft tissue and blood vessels. Even slight pressure can cause irreversible damage. Always support trout gently from underneath, with one hand by the tail wrist and one under the belly close to the pectoral fins.

If you’ve taken the time to catch a beautiful, wild trout, take the extra second to respect how fragile and incredibly special it truly is.

2. Wet Your Hands Before You Touch the Fish

Trout are protected by a thin slime layer that acts as their immune system. Dry hands strip that layer off instantly, leaving the fish vulnerable to infection, fungus, and stress.

A quick dip of your hands before handling goes a long way in helping that fish survive. It’s a small gesture that makes a massive difference.

In an ice fishing scenario, please remove your gloves before handling your catch. Gloves, just like dry hands will remove the protective covering of the trout, causing harm. Trout being sensitive in many ways are also susceptible to freezing eyes and gills in cold weather. Minimize exposure out of the water, better yet fish in a shelter when temperatures dip below -10°C to prevent freezing essential organs of the trout.

3. Keep the Fish Fully Submerged Until the Exact Moment You’re Ready for a Photo

This is the biggest mistake we see on the water: anglers catching a trout and immediately lifting it into the air, on the ice or in the boat, while they fiddle with their phone or adjust their stance.

For a trout, being held out of water is like you holding your breath after a sprint. Oxygen plummets, stress skyrockets, and survival rates drop.

The rule is simple:

If you’re not 100% ready for the photo—keep the fish underwater or in a live well with water recirculating. If you make live wells in the ice I personally think its critical to realize that ice live wells do not regenerate oxygen. I do use live wells on the ice but I also bring along a portable aerator like you would put on a minnow bucket to oxygenate the holding water for my fish. Its important to note that without oxygen being added to the water, the fish begin to actually suffocate instead of revive.

Line up your camera, position yourself, communicate with your partner, and then lift the fish for a second or 2—not 10 seconds, not 30 seconds. Quick up, back down to breathe, and release.

4. Dropping a Trout Is Often Fatal—Be Close to the Water

A dropped trout is usually a dead trout, even if it swims off at first.

Hold the fish low and over water or a net so that if it slips, it falls into a safe cushion—not onto rocks, ice, boats, snow, or dry ground. On the ice kneel down and keep the fish low, if it falls from a few feet off the ice it will die.

A clean release starts with smart positioning and a clean boat or tent.

5. Do Not Move Trout Back and Forth to “Give Them Oxygen”

This is one of those old myths that refuses to die. Pushing a trout forward and backward in the water actually forces water the wrong direction over its gills, damaging delicate structures and making recovery harder—not easier.

Instead, simply support the trout upright, facing upstream if on the river, and let the natural flow of the river do all the work. If reviving trout on the lake support the trout upright with one hand under the belly and one hand around the tail wrist and hold until the fish swims away strong. On the ice hold fish by the tail all but the tail submerged. When it’s ready, the fish will kick off gently on its own. No thrashing, no forcing, no rocking motion needed.

6. Respect Creates Better Anglers

Proper fish handling isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention.

It’s about slowing down, staying mindful, and respecting the living creature in your hands. Every trout released cleanly is a gift to the next angler, the next generation, and the health of the ecosystem.

At Optimal Angling Co., this is the foundation of every trip we run. From beginners learning their first cast to hardcore anglers chasing trophy trout, we teach the same philosophy:

Catch your fish. Respect your fish. Release your fish.

And let the experience last longer than the photo.

Use These Proper Fish Handling Skills Next Time You're Out!