12/08/2024
As water temperatures remain high, we urge anglers to carefully consider whether they should be fishing and the species they fish for to help protect our fish stocks.
Fish are particularly susceptible to the impacts of high-water temperatures as there is an inverse relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen. In other words, as water temperature increases the amount of dissolved oxygen decreases.
This can ultimately impact the recovery of fish once caught, particularly when a fish is played for a long duration or when handled and released poorly. Remember, whilst fish may swim away after being caught, they can succumb to these impacts later.
Species such as pike, barbel and salmonids (e.g. brown trout) are particularly susceptible to the impacts of higher water temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen, so we suggest special careful considerations as to whether the conditions are right to target these species.
To help reduce the risk to our fish populations, we suggest:
• Taking particular care when playing, landing and releasing fish during warm weather.
• Avoiding fishing for larger fish or sensitive species if the water temperature exceeds 19°C by mid-morning (clubs may choose to update their social media accounts with daily updates).
• Minimising the use of ground-bait. As it decomposes, this can further reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Fish feeding on ground-bait may have a greater oxygen need, so take longer to recover from being caught.
• Unhooking fish in the water if possible and only take them out of the water for unhooking if absolutely necessary (in rivers hold them facing upstream to recover)
• Avoiding taking photos. Where absolutely necessary, take photos in the water. Keeping a fish in the air, even for a few seconds, can greatly reduce its chances of surviving after capture and going on to spawn successfully.
For more information, see this blog from the Environment Agency: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extreme-heat-environment-agency-calls-on-public-to-help-protect-fish #:~:text=Take%20particular%20care%20when%20playing,your%20use%20of%20ground%2Dbait.