Revival Thru the Ice

[colorado_]

I've seen a few posts lately where large fish that took a while to land were released.  After a ten or fifteen minute fight how long does one have to hold the fish in the hole to revive it?  I'm not saying this to be smart, just curious. 

As a flyfisherman I release all my fish but when it comes to hardwater, I keep every one.  In a stream I move the fish into a good easy flow and allow good water flow over the gills.  At times it's taken 10 minutes to revive a fish.  But through the ice do you just move it back and forth while you hold the tail for a while?  In the stream I've occasioanlly released a fish prematurely, watched it dart upstream for a few seconds, then roll over and back down towards me.  I grab it and continue the revival process. 

My main concern is about survival rates on fish released through the ice.  If they are not properly revived then they'll be floating in open water come springtime.  As hardwater fishermen we can never know for certain about their survival once they leave our little window into their world.  I guess that's why I'd rather see a long, hard fighting fish that's been taken through the ice wind up on someones dinner table than be released.  Again, I don't mean to be Mr. Smartypants, I'm just curious, and remember that these comments apply to ice fishing only!

[Pasquatch]

For lakers at Lake George, I grab them by the tail and give them a good push if they seem exhausted after a long battle...I'm very confident that they survive, they're tough fish, not to mention that they are without an air bladder problem. 
For deepwater perch and bass, I hate to release them if their bladder is in their mouth, you know they're not going far...

[kingfshr16]

 Same thing for me, for perch if i see the airbladder i usually just keep them, i try to bring them up as slow as possible but keeping tension, lakers i just push them by the tail and off they go.

[Cargo]

I feel I have had good luck releasing fish through the ice. Two ways, one is immediately after I catch a fish I work the fish back and fourth, I will not let go until the fish is ready. Two I have had very good luck putting a fish on a stringer long lining the fish under the ice until the fish becomes active.
               I agree the longer a fish has been on the fight the more time it will take before its ready.That's where the stringer can help, usually the stringer line will tell the story. Another problem is thick ice so far this year I have been lucky with ice only about 12" thick. I have actually reached under the ice to let fish go this can be very cold. But nothing is for sure.

[bigredonice]

i would not recommend working a fish back and forth, as water traveling backwards at force tends to damage the already inflammed and weakend gill arches...the water is cold enough that just having the fish completely submerged and in a position where it can freely move its gill and jaw structures and also swim away unimpeded is ideal (ie: headfirst looking down the hole).  dont forget to handle the fish with either very wet gloves or wet hands to minimize slime coat damage, and also if it is below freezing, keep the fish in the water as much as possible - freezing damage to eye and gill structures can happen very quickly.

[fishuhalik]

  I've always just told myself that a fish has a better chance of surviving in the water than in a frying pan.  I know a some of the fish that I let go don't make it, but I also know that at least a few of those fish that I think are mortally wounded make it.  I guess the final decision is up to you. 

[colorado_]

Thanks guys! 

You bring up lots of good points and taught me some things about lakers and perch.  I'm going on my first laker ice fishing trip next weekend and really looking forward to it. 

Bigred, I agree with your comment on moving them backwards and keeping your hands wet.  And it's good not to lete them freeze at all either - but if they freeze while you're holding 'em, then your hand is pretty frozen too! 

Ice Shanty guys - you are the best.  This is definitely my favorite website!