Handling Fish
The fish's body and slimy protective coating can be damaged by excessive handling or equipment.

If a fish is to be released, if at all possible the hooks should be removed while the fish is still in the water.

If the fish must be handled out of the water, reduce damage to the fish by:

• using a net without knotted mesh;
  
  
• keeping your hands wet while handling the fish;
  
  
• wetting any surface on which you place the fish.

How to Release Unwanted Fish
You are obliged to immediately return to the water any fish that you do not intend to keep. Unwanted fish must be returned to the water with the least possible injury or damage.

This does not apply to:

• fish declared to be noxious;
  
  
• fish, other than noxious aquatic species, kept alive and without harm in catch or keep nets for the purpose of weigh-in and returned alive to the water from which they came. Catch limits, closed seasons and size limits apply at all times;
  
  
• live bait fish.

You must not tag, brand, mark, finclip (other than as required by the fishing regulations) or stock any fish in Victorian waters without prior written permission from the DNRE.

Removing Hooks
Removal of the hook from fish that are to be returned to the water is a matter of judgement in relation to the potential damage that may be caused to the fish:

• if the fish is hooked in the jaw or mouth, remove the hook as cleanly as possible using a hook remover or long-nosed pliers;
  
  
• if the fish is hooked deeper in the mouth or in the stomach through having swallowed the bait, do not try to pull or twist the hook out, even with a tool designed to do the job. Cut the fishing line as close as possible to the hook and release the fish. In time the hook should dissolve.

Tagged Fish
If you catch a tagged fish record the date, fork length and location. Keep the tag, some scales and the fish or frame frozen and contact the Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute on 1800 652 598 or VICTAG on 1800 677 620.