Fishing

Fishing is both the recreational and sport practice of catching fish and the commercial business of catching free-range fish and other aquatic life-forms for food.

Recreational fishing is generally done with a pole (fishing rod) and line with a small number of hooks. Laws usually limit the number of lines and hooks that one fisherman can use and the number of fish that can be harvested. Many species of fish are pursued by recreational fishers for various reasons. Popular sport species of fish include bass, pike, muskie, marlin, and swordfish--fish that are a challenge to catch and provide good trophies. Species of fish harvested by sportsmen for eating include perch, trout, salmon, and sunfish. Catch-and-release fishing is increasingly practiced especially by flyfishermen and for rare fish such as marlin.

Laws generally prohibit the use of nets and catching fish with hooks not in the mouth. However some species can be taken with nets for bait and a few for food, like smelt. "Trash" (non-sport) fish considered of less value can sometimes be taken by multiple methods like snagging, bow and arrow, or even gun because they are seen as competing with more valuable fish.

Recreational fishing laws may also cover other aquatic species, such as frogs and turtles.

Sport fishing is a recent phenomenon where fisherman compete for prizes based on the total weight of fish caught in a time limit. This sport evolved from local fishing derbies into a large competition circuit in the U.S.A. with professional fishermen competing supported by commercial endorsments, much like NASCAR racing. These competitions are generally for bass and are generally catch-and-release.

Commercial fishing is often called the most dangerous occupation in the world. Fishing provides a large quantity of food to many countries around the world, but those who practice it must often pursue fish far into the ocean and during bad weather. Commercial fishermen harvest almost all aquatic species, from tuna and salmon to shrimp, lobster, clams, and squid. Commercial fishing methods have become very efficient using huge nets and sea-borne processing factories. Populations of some species, such as cod, have collapsed because of overfishing and pollution. National fishing seasons have been increasingly restricted, and international treaties have sought to limit the yearly fish harvest.

Commercial fish raising in the forms of aquaculture and mariculture supplement the free-range catch of fish.