Anglers who want to practice catch-and-release should target fish in shallower water. Photo: ND Game & Fish

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota Game & Fish Wildlife Biologist Doug Leier says the old adage of “if it’s too hot to golf, it’s too hot to fish” may not hold much water.

As air and water temperatures increase and stay hot, anglers may not find catching fish as productive. One of the ways an angler can increase their chances is keeping their bait as fresh as possible.

Leier says another option is switching to synthetic baits.

Catch and release from deep water when it’s warmer may not actually keep fish alive. Leier encourages anglers to consider what they call barotrauma, which refers to injuries (i.e., trauma) caused by changes in barometric or water pressure.

Consider catching the fish you’ll keep and then quitting for the day. For more information, click here or visit gf.nd.gov.

Listen to Doug Leier talk the great outdoors with JD in the Morning on Big Dog 95.5 FM every Thursday at 7:35 AM.