BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Game & Fish Department is encouraging all anglers to remember the rules when it comes to catch & release.

“Try not to play the fish,” states Doug Leier, Wildlife Biologist for the department. “Try not to let the fish fight. Land the fish as quickly as you can and try handle them as little as possible.”

Leier says making the fish stressed as little as possible is key. Then when you release, do so gently. He points out that you also can’t “high grade” while fishing either.

Leier says when it comes to catch and release, the bottom line is the health of the fish. He also took a moment to point out the litter that officials have been seeing.

You can listen to Doug Leier every Thursday morning at 7:20 AM on Big Dog Country 95.5 FM with JD in the Morning.