High water temperatures: Please temporarily stop fishing for predatory fish

Due to the continuing exceptionally high water temperatures, there is currently an increase in fish mortality in the waters managed by the Ruhr Fisheries Cooperative, and particularly in the reservoirs of the lower Ruhr. This is affecting large predatory fish in particular, such as pike.

The managing director of the Ruhr Fishing Cooperative, Stefan Jäger, and the Ruhrverband’s fisheries expert, Markus Kühlmann, are therefore jointly appealing to all anglers to temporarily cease all fishing for predatory fish until water temperatures have returned to normal with the onset of cooler weather. 

“As water temperatures rise, the oxygen content in the water drops dramatically, whilst at the same time the fish’s metabolism is running at full speed,” says Markus Kühlmann, explaining the reason for this urgent appeal. “This combination already puts the fish under extreme stress, meaning that any additional strain – such as the struggle during the catch – can prove fatal for the weakened predatory fish.”

Even if undersized or protected fish were carefully released, the stress of fishing would reduce their chances of survival, adds Stefan Jäger, who therefore urges: “Be responsible; please be patient until the water cools down. As soon as the weather eases and water temperatures drop, fishing for predatory fish can resume without causing the animals any additional stress.”