Effect of catch‐and‐release and temperature at release on reproductive success of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) in the Rimouski River, Québec, Canada

Catch-and-release fishing is a common conservation practice in recreational fisheries for Atlantic Salmon, although the effects on the reproductive success of caught-and-released fish are poorly understood. Herein, we compared the relative reproductive success of caught-and-released to non-caught salmon and tested the effect of temperature at release on reproductive success in the Rimouski River, Quebec, Canada. At least 83% of caught-and-released salmon that moved upstream of a dam successfully reproduced, including fish that have been released in water above 20 degrees C. However, the reproductive success of caught-and-released female salmon was only 73% of the reproductive success of non-caught salmon. Moreover, the increasing temperature did not affect the reproductive success of released fish that entered a trap, but fish caught at warmer temperatures were less likely to enter the trap. Our findings should be useful for evaluating the risks and benefits of catch-and-release, and for optimising conservation practices used for the preservation of Atlantic salmon populations.