West Virginia Game Fish
Throughout time and all over the world, people have been fishing to feed themselves and their families. Today’s abundance of readily available food has diminished the role of fishing for food but the joy of the sport remains strong.People who fish without the intention of eating their catch are game fishing; they are fishing purely for sport.
To preserve the ecosystem and maintain fish stocks, many anglers practice a form of game fishing called catch and release. Instead of removing the fish from the water and allowing it to die, catch-and-release fishermen gently remove the fish hook from the fish’s mouth or body with as little disturbance as possible, and then return the live fish to the water.
Fortunately, West Virginia game fish are plentiful throughout the state and catch and release fishing is encouraged. There are several spots where catch and release fishing is mandatory. Check with local authorities to identify these areas as new rules and regulations are constantly being updated.
Catch and release fishing is thought to have originated in the United Kingdom in the 1800s as a means of conserving food fish while enjoying the sport. Michigan implemented the United States’ first catch-and-release program in 1952; the thought was that the cost of re-stocking game fish would be reduced if live fish were returned to the water instead of being allowed to die. Returning live fish to the water was said to sustain fish populations, too.
While sustainability of fish populations seems a noble cause, it is not without controversy. Some critics claim the caught fish die from shock and injury within days of being released and others claim the barbless hooks used in catch and release allows too many caught fish to escape unaccounted for, thereby skewing fishing counts and records.
Barbless hooks are used when practicing catch and release fishing techniques so the hook can be quickly and easily slid out of the fish’s mouth. Some anglers are able to release the hook without ever removing the fish from the water.
Barbless hooks are available commercially but many an angler makes his own.Simply use pliers to squeeze the barb from a regular hook back toward the curved part of the hook’s shaft (called the bite at this part of the hook) so the barb is flush with the shaft. For an even smoother finish, use fine sandpaper to smooth out any jagged spots.
Along most of the state’s waterways, West Virginia game fish can be caught for keeping or returning to the waters; to fish catch and release style is voluntary. In a few locations, however, it’s vitally important to release all fish caught.
