Carp Care: Landing, Unhooking and Safe Release

Prepare before casting

Set up your landing net and unhooking mat in a safe position, keep water to hand and check that any retention or treatment equipment is allowed. Know how to summon fishery staff if a fish is injured.

Landing the fish

Play carp with steady pressure appropriate to your tackle and obstacles. Guide the fish over a submerged net and lift carefully according to safe technique and the net design; support the fish rather than hauling it by the net handle.

On the mat

Keep the carp low over a properly wetted, padded surface, support the body and avoid prolonged air exposure. Use appropriate forceps if necessary and never pull hard on deeply embedded tackle.

Photographs and return

If taking a photo, kneel low above the mat and hold the fish securely. Stop if it struggles. Recover the fish in the water until it can maintain its balance and swim away strongly.

Biosecurity matters

Follow rules on net drying, disinfection and transferring equipment between lakes. Report damaged fish, suspected disease or abnormal mortality to the fishery.