Fishing has a particular romance and resonance in Montana. This is a state made famous by blue-ribbon trout streams and abundant lakes and where literature, artwork and films have been devoted to fishing’s power and mystique.

After spending the winter tying flies and practicing their casts, anglers now have the best opportunities across Montana. The general stream season began May 21 and state managers are reminding anglers to review the proper ways to catch and release fish, which can greatly affect survival rates. A poster is being distributed across the state raising awareness.

Anglers can reduce stress on a fish by keeping it wet while landing and releasing it and by wetting their hands before handling the fish. Anglers should keep the fish in the water as much as possible so its gills can absorb oxygen. Remove the hook gently before release.

Anglers should also consider limiting their catch for the benefit of the fish population, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

“How the angler handles their fish has a huge effect on the survival and stress on that fish,” said Mark Deleray, FWP’s regional fisheries program manager. “We’re trying to be proactive and encourage best management practices among anglers.”

For more information about best practices, visit fwp.mt.gov.

Here is what anglers can do to maximize fish survival:

— Land the fish quickly and do not play it to exhaustion.

— Wet your hands before handling the fish.

— Keep the fish in the water as much as possible where it gills can absorb oxygen.

— Minimize the time out of water for photos.

— Remove the hook gently. Use of artificial lures, single and barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier.

— Let the fish recover before release. If the fish is hooked deeply or bleeding, you may have to snip the line at the fish’s mouth, or consider keeping it if regulations allow.