Always carry appropriate equipment with you so you can easily hook and release unwanted or illegal catches. A good landing net, pliers or pliers are a good start. Once you've hooked a fish, it's important not to tease the fish for too long and put it under unnecessary stress. This applies whether the fish is going back into the water or into the frying pan.

If you are releasing your catch

The release of fish is based on ensuring that the fish is as healthy as possible both during and after handling. The idea is for it to survive, thrive and reproduce in the future. The smallest fish need to grow while the really big ones are important for the fish stocks.

• Do not run around showing off the fish.
• Minimize the time the fish spends above the water surface and make sure to remove the hook quickly. Never handle a returning fish with dry hands as this damages the mucus layer of the fish.
• Sub-zero temperatures can blind fish or cause frostbite.
• Warm water increases the risk of stress and oxygen depletion. That's why many people close down fishing when the water temperature is above 18 degrees.
• Keep a pair of pliers or pliers handy to save precious seconds - having to search for the right gear while the fish is gasping for breath is not good.
• A knotless net is kinder to the fish's vital mucus layer. The mucus layer protects the fish from attack by fungi, bacteria and viruses. In the net, you can quickly unhook the fish and put it back.

If you are going to keep your catch

All fish that are not released should be killed immediately! Quick handling avoids unnecessary suffering and improves the quality of the fish's flesh and its shelf life.

• Stun the fish with a few hard blows to the head. Stabbing the fish in the head with a knife is painful for the fish and you risk cutting yourself - don't do it!
• Kill small fish by breaking their necks, larger fish can be killed by cutting off their gill arches. A bonus of cutting off the gill arches is that you'll be bleeding the fish at the same time, giving the meat a better shelf life.
• Once the fish is gutted, you can throw it into the water. If you throw it on land, it can start to smell bad and attract unwanted animals to the site.