How do I unhook and release perch without hurting them — or my hands?

Perch are hardy fish, and the first injury is usually the angler's: the spiny first dorsal fin and the sharp edges of the gill covers both cut. Slide a wet hand back from the head so the spines fold flat, then grip firmly around the body. The real threat to the fish is deep hooking — live bait left to the tap-tap-tap gets swallowed. Lift when the rod tip loads, carry long forceps, pinch barbs down if you plan to release many, and when a hook is out of sight, cut the line close instead of digging. Warm water by itself is a minor issue for perch; what kills released fish in summer is depth — a fish pulled from 10 m (33 ft) or more cannot get back down through a warm surface layer. Those fish are keepers.

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