Proper handling and release are skills you need. Using poor techniques leads to delayed mortality. People fail to understand these fish are fragile when you handle them. Holding the fish wrong is a leading cause of death to muskies.

People grab inside the gill plate incorrectly also. You cannot touch the gills. Plus, laying on the ground and keeping out of the water too long are other problems. These habits have no place in fishing. Do not do this to any fish.
Reading Time; 4 minutes 930 words.
Proper Catch and Release Tools
You must have the right tools for releasing these fish. These are not optional items. A good net is number one. It allows you to hold the fish to remove the hooks. Fishing for large fish without a net is unsafe.
- A net for musky
- Long needle nose pliers
- Jaw spreader
- Small bolt cutter
- Handling glove (optional)
Also, you will need long needle-nose pliers. This tool keeps your hand at a safe distance from the hooks. Look for 10-12 inch pliers. A straight and 45-degree bend set are both useful.
A jaw spreader to hold the mouth open. A fish will clench its mouth shut. A spreader will keep it open allowing you to pull out the hooks. These are low cost and make it much easier.
A small set of bolt cutters also. Wire cutters do not work for musky hooks. The small bolt cutters will cut hooks. There will be times you have to cut a hook or two to release the fish.
Spending 5 minutes to remove a hook is far too long. If after a minute the hooks are not out. Cut them and pull out the leftover pieces. You can replace the hooks for a couple of dollars.
A pair of handling clothes are optional. Some people have a sensitivity to fish slime. Soft skin will be cut by the gill plates. In these cases, use a pair of fish handling gloves. Do not use regular gloves, use gloves made for handling fish.
Proper Handling Techniques
With proper handling and release, you start with the net. Always land the fish using a conservation net. This is a large rubber bag net. The cheap nets are no good for these fish. The cheap nets damage fins and remove the slime layer. A good net protects a fish’s slime layer and reduces fin damage.
Remove the hooks while the fish is in the net. It is safer for the fish and you. A thrashing fish will slam the hooks into you quickly. You will be going to the emergency room to get the hooks out. A lot of times, the net grabs a hook point. Then the fish gets off without you having to reach in the net.
Once the hooks are out. It is time to take a picture or two. Plus a quick measurement also. You need to have the camera and measuring tool ready. Leave the fish in the net while getting ready. If using a bump board, wet it before placing a fish on it. Wet your hands or handling gloves also.
Holding the Fish
The gill plate hold is for larger fish only and removing them from the net. Small to midsize fish grab by the tail and under the belly. This hold work on fish up to 28-32 inches. Pike and musky are passive when held most of the time. For the big ones, you do need the gill plate hold for control if a fish does get animated.

Hold the fish horizontal and never vertical. A vertical hold has the internal organs shift. Another cause of death later on. The lip grippers people use have no place in musky or pike fishing. The grippers break teeth and damage the tissues in the mouth.
The Safe Release
After taking a few pictures and measuring your catch. You need to release the fish. Do not throw it into the water. Remember the fish are fragile when handled.
Place the fish in the water. Hold in front of the tail with one hand. If you did everything right, it will break free. The fish is not suffering from fatigue or stress.
If the fish is fatigued or stressed. It will be in a state of shock. Do not let go of the fish. I will not try to break free if in shock. The gills will be flaring rapidly and wide. Hold the fish until the gill movement returns to normal.
This may take 5-6 minutes for the fish to recover. While holding the fish. Do not move the fish back and forth. This is bad for the gills. Simply hold it in place until it is ready to go.
A lot of times, these fish will swim away slowly. This is normal in these situations. You gave the fish a very high chance of survival. At times, doing everything right still results in the loss of a few fish. If you did all you can, that is all that is expected. You did proper handling and release of the fish.
Conclusions
Learning the proper handling and release of fish is important. Using good techniques or habits ensures there will be fish in the future. The tools make handling safer for the fish and you. Buy the tools, they last for years. Plus, it will prevent injury to you and the fish.