Bring 'em up, put 'em back - gently: lake trout
Fishing Wisconsin
Proper catch and release of lake trout
![A lake trout comes to the surface](/sites/default/files/topic/Fishing/LS_LakerBurp.jpg)
Anglers often enjoy the live release of fish they have caught. However, the successful release of coldwater species such as lake trout from deep water can present challenges. Bringing a lake trout to the surface from depths of 200 feet or more can be stressful as the fish experiences a substantial reduction in water pressure. As the water pressure decreases the swim bladder will expand – bloating the fish and causing barotrauma if the pressure is not released. A fish that is in this condition will not be able to descend and will be exposed to warmer surface water temperatures and predators such as gulls.