catch-and-release fish

noun

UK /ˌkætʃ ən rɪˈliːs fɪʃ/

US /ˌkætʃ ən rɪˈliːs fɪʃ/

A catch-and-release fish is a fish that you let go back into the water after you catch it.

The lake is full of catch-and-release fish, so we always put them back.

SYNONYMS

no-kill fish release fish tag-and-release fish conservation fish

RELATED WORDS

fishing angling conservation hatchery river

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A fishing rule where caught fish must be returned to the water alive.

The park enforces catch-and-release fish rules during spawning season.

3. A fish raised or managed so anglers can catch and release it for sport.

The club stocks catch-and-release fish in the pond for weekend tournaments.

4. A fish that survives being caught and released, often studied by biologists.

Researchers tagged the catch-and-release fish to track how well it recovered.