Kelowna local guide
Catch and release — best practices on Okanagan Lake
How we handle fish for release on every charter. Keeping Okanagan Lake fishing this way for another 20 years.
Barbless hooks
Required by BC regulation in most situations. We rig every charter barbless. Fish come off the hook easier, handling damage is minimized.
Minimise air time
A fish out of water more than 10 seconds starts to suffocate. Keep it in the net, in the water, as long as possible.
Support the fish properly
Two hands. One under the belly, one loosely around the tail. Never squeeze the gills.
Don't touch gills
Ever. Most-cited cause of post-release mortality.
Revive before release
Hold the fish facing into the current (or moved gently forward in still water) until it kicks strongly. Then let go.
When to keep
Retention is fine within regulation. Plan ahead: bring a cooler with ice so kept fish chill immediately.