Nick Simonson
By Nick Simonson
This far into my fishing experience, the numbers don't matter as much as the memories. Where 20 years ago I'd brag about a 28-inch walleye or a 19-inch smallmouth caught on the little river running through my hometown and throw the fish's estimated weight in for good measure; nowadays, the only number that matters is zero and being above it on a given fishing trip with my buddies, my kids, or even just by myself. However, I also like to have a good idea as to what my catches – most of which find their way back into the water – weigh, even if I only have a quick length measurement and perhaps a guess at the girth. With some quick baseline objects as measuring sticks and a few simple equations, it's easy to measure up just how heavy each fish was.
Get a Handle on It
I quit carrying a tape with me a long time ago, especially when fishing from shore, because I found a quick couple of tools to make measurements happen a whole lot faster. First, I used my hand, because being full grown, I found that the tip of my pinky to the tip of my thumb, when my hand was stretched out was exactly nine inches. Additionally, the tray-style tackleboxes I like are 14 inches long. By using those two measurements of things I always have with me on the water, I am quicker to catch-measure-and-release my fish. If I need girth, I simply wrap my fishing line from the tie-in point of my lure around the thickest part of the fish and then lay it against either of my on-hand measuring sticks. Consider doing the same for your hand, or your shoe or your tacklebox to limit the gear needed and to get a fast measurement for further use and review.
Do the Math
From there, things are pretty simple in figuring out about how much a released fish weighed. After many years of sampling, agencies and others in the scientific angling circles have come up with catch-and-release weight estimators for various species of fish based on a function of length and girth, and with them it is as easy as plugging in the numbers to get an idea of how heavy that released walleye, pike or largemouth bass was.
For the major gamefish species, the formulas for estimating weight are as follows:
Smallmouth Bass: Weight = (length x girth x girth / 1,100)
Largemouth Bass: Weight = (length x girth x girth / 1,050)
Pike (length only): Weight = (length x length x length / 3,500)
Pike (length and girth): Weight = (length x girth x girth / 1,000)
Muskies: Weight = (length x girth x girth / 800)
Walleyes (length only): Weight = (length x length x length / 2,700)
Walleyes (with girth): Weight = (length x length x girth / 1,200)
Obviously, the more data available, the more accurate the estimate will be, so getting length and girth will provide the best possible idea of a fish's weight following release. However, quick length-based options also give a good estimate when time is of the essence and a faster release is required after a hard battle, warm water temperatures, or other stressors that spur a quicker turn-back to the water.
When estimating fish weight based on length and girth, don't get lost in the numbers. Have a few handy measuring tools and keep the formulas stashed back home in a fishing journal or in your tackle bag, and with some downtime, catalog the estimated weight of those fish caught on a given outing. Doing so adds a little fun and an off-hand way of getting a number you can rely on, just in case you do want to do some bragging with your fishing buddies the next day!
Simonson is the lead writer and editor of Dakota Edge Outdoors.
Featured Photo: How Heavy? By getting the length and the girth of those chunky smallmouth and just about any other fish species, C&R anglers can put a strong estimate of weight to their photos and stories of fish they turned back to be caught once again. Simonson Photo.
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