Anglers know better than anyone the delicate balance of life in our vital waterways—and how human interference can damage it. Explore the simple things regular anglers can do to help protect the environment while fishing below.
Keep Waterways Clean
Anglers spend more time at rivers and lakes than perhaps anyone else. Clean waterways are essential for fishing, so it’s only natural that anglers do their part and help keep the water clean.
Unfortunately, litter, waste, and pollution are significant problems for many rivers and lakes in the country. Still, if every angler takes on a responsibility to help keep them clean, they could significantly reduce water waste. It doesn’t take much time or effort; simply picking up any trash or waste left behind by others is an excellent way for anglers to help protect the environment.
Utilize Environmentally Friendly Equipment
Every angler knows they’ll lose some of their equipment to the water and the environment at some point. Sometimes, a hook gets caught on a rock or a line tangled in a tree. It’s just a part of fishing.
Pro-Tip: If you’re practicing catch-and-release fishing, opt for a ring hook, as it does less damage to fish than a standard hook.
These small things may not seem like a big deal, but they can add up and become dangerous for animals, fish, and plants. Environmentally friendly equipment like biodegradable fishing lines, weights, and fishing lures ensure that anglers don’t hurt animals or damage the environment.
Combat Invasive Species
Invasive species can permanently alter and devastate the ecosystem of a waterway. They can even drive away the native fish species. Since anglers frequent the waterways so much that, in many ways, they’re the first line of defense against invasive species taking hold and spreading.
Anglers should do everything they can to prevent the spread of invasive species in waterways, including diligently cleaning their fishing gear and vessels should they travel to different fishing spots around the country. If you see a foreign, invasive species of fish or plant at your usual fishing spot, report it to the relevant officials as soon as possible.
Pro-Tip: Some smartphone apps allow anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to report a sighting of invasive species and their location to authorities.
Practice Sustainable Fishing Methods
There are also many sustainable fishing practices that anglers can adopt that help keeps the population of native fish solid and vibrant. Anglers should always follow local regulations about how many fish they can save based on length, as they’re there to ensure the fish population remains healthy.
The catch-and-release method is the best practice for maintaining a strong fish population. As much as you’d love to take that fish home as a trophy, a simple picture can be just as good. Releasing fish ensures you can continue to reel in large, healthy fish!
