Ice fishing causing stress and harm to fish in winter conditions.
Ice fishing in winter can stress fish, affecting their survival. Unique challenges like freezing temperatures and gear can harm them. While some fish survive being caught and released, factors like gear type and hooking location can influence their chances. We still don't know much about how fish behave after being released or how ice fishing impacts their habitats. More research is needed to understand the effects of winter catch-and-release fishing on fish populations and to develop better guidelines for conservation.