How to Hold a Fish Without Hurting It or Yourself: Safe Grips for Every Species

For larger species like bass, pike and muskie, you should also support the fish’s body, especially if it’s a weighty fish. It’s okay to snap a quick picture, but minimize the time the fish is out of the water. Keep it in the water in the net while you get your camera ready.

Gripping and Landing Fish Without a Net

In the same vein, you can also learn how to grasp fish to land them if you don’t have a net. Small fish can easily be swung aboard. Bass and even crappies can be grabbed by the lower lip. You wouldn’t want to try that with pike and muskies, however, because they have razor-sharp teeth. Pike, muskies and walleyes can be grabbed by the back of the head if they’re not too large. Just remember to be very careful of hooks whenever you’re grabbing any fish.

Fish-Specific Handling Tips

How to Hold Catfish Safely

Catfish and bullheads have sharp spines on their dorsal fins and pectoral fins, so avoid touching those. You can grab a catfish by the lower lip, but it may clamp down on you. You can also grab them by the belly, keeping your hands behind the pectoral fins.

Holding Fish with Sharp Dorsal Spines

Bluegills, walleyes and perch all have very sharp dorsal spines. Other species do as well, to a lesser extent. Grip these fish by the belly when handling them to avoid those spines.

Proper Handling of Sturgeon

Sturgeon have sandpapery bodies. To land one, grab it by the narrow spot just in front of the tail. If you turn the fish upside down in the water, it will become surprisingly docile. If you plan to lift it, maintain your grip ahead of the tail and get your other hand under the front of the body to support the weight.

Catch and Release Tips for Salmon and Trout

Salmon and steelhead, likewise, can be gripped just ahead of the tail. But other trout species are slippery in the tail area. Here is a full article on proper trout handling. But trout are just downright slippery, so good luck!

Safety for You and the Fish

Bottom line, watch out for teeth and sharp spines. Grip the fish firmly, but don’t overdo it, especially if you plan to release it. And above all, watch out for hooks, especially if the fish starts thrashing.