Anglers drift through a stretch of the Wolf River south of Orihula, Wis. Credit: Paul A. Smith

I ventured to one of my favorite fishing holes in southeastern Wisconsin on Monday to check the conditions and wet a line for panfish.

Along the edge of the inlet, marsh marigolds were blooming. Leaves were emerging on silver maples and black willows along the shore. And the lake's water temperature was 54 degrees in a shallow north bay.

Mother Nature is setting the stage nicely for Saturday's Wisconsin general inland fishing opener. Between now and then, a warming trend is forecast to present comfortable conditions; the fish are likely to cooperate.

For the future of fishing, let's all do four things:

Practice selective harvest: In the modern age, anglers have a profound effect on fish populations.

The equipment, information and technology at our disposal make it easier than ever for us to catch fish.

In fact, if you're catching a good number of large fish of any species on any body of water, it's likely because it has lower than average angling pressure or special regulations that restrict harvest.

A study in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management looked at panfish populations in several Michigan lakes, including two that were closed to angling for several years. When the two lakes were reopened to fishing, anglers removed 13% of bluegills 6 inches or longer in just three days.

And after one month (May), 35% of the bluegills 6 inches or longer were taken by anglers.

Here in Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources conducts tagging studies on walleyes in the Lake Winnebago system, including the Wolf River. In 2015, a jaw-dropping 42% of the juvenile female walleye were harvested by anglers. The rates were lower for adult fish (22% for adult males and 29% for adult females) but still higher than the long-term means.

Most fisheries experts say annual mortality rates on walleye populations that exceed 28% or 30% are unsustainable.

So it's clear anglers can harm fish populations. We also can help protect them.

Make a plan for when, where and what to keep for dinner. If a lake has a low population of a species (like walleye on Pewaukee Lake), it's best to practice catch-and-release there. If a lake has a problematically high population of a certain species (like largemouth bass in many northwestern Wisconsin lakes), that's a prime opportunity for keeping some.

On heavily pressured lakes, such as in southeastern Wisconsin, give popular species such as bluegills, crappies and bass a chance to reproduce in spring.

And at any time of year, release the biggest fish you catch of any species. In Wisconsin, it takes on average more than 10 years for a bluegill to reach 9 inches, a smallmouth to reach 20 inches and a walleye to reach 28 inches.

If we want healthy fish populations with diverse size structure next month, year and decade, selective harvest is the key, especially during the spawning period.

Use good catch-and-release technique: The program works. Anglers across the nation have proved it.

Locally, a musky in the Oconomowoc River system named "Scarface" has been caught multiple times over the last decade. The fish is now well over 40 inches in length and provides a thrill of a lifetime each time it is caught.

But catch-and-release works only if the fish survives. Here are several pointers for good technique from FishSmart, a program of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation:

■ Have adequate equipment on hand, including a good-sized landing net and needle-nosed pliers or other hook-removing device.

■ Land the fish as quickly as possible.

■ Keep the fish in the water as much as possible.

■ Wet your hands before touching a fish.

■ When handling a fish, hold it horizontally.

■ Release fish head first into the water.

■If necessary, support a fish in the water with your hand under its belly until it recovers and swims away.

Recommend a live release category of state fish records: In August 2013, the DNR announced plans for changes in the Wisconsin fish records program.

One proposal — to establish a "Legacy" category for 13 old records — attracted a few complaints, primarily from those who defend the 69 pound, 11 ounce muskellunge attributed to Louis Spray in 1949 on the Chippewa Flowage.

Concerned about controversy, the agency backed away from its plans.

That's too bad, because it also meant shelving an idea that has overwhelming support — creating a "Live Release" category for Wisconsin fish.

Under the program, fish would be photographed, recorded and released. The DNR would keep records for the longest of 32 fish species that swim Wisconsin waters.

The idea is a triple win: It would promote wise use of our resources, acknowledge anglers for doing good and help generate a buzz for fishing in Wisconsin.

Karl Scheidegger, DNR fisheries outreach manager, said the live release category could be implemented if it has sufficient public support. Send him an email at karl.scheidegger@wisconsin.gov to let him know how you feel.

Take someone fishing: Fishing is a timeless outdoor activity that connects humans to each other and nature.

Through fishing, we learn about our role in the environment and the need for clean water and air and a healthy habitat.

By giving us the chance to bring home the occasional meal, it completes the circle on the outdoor experience as few others can.

If you're in position to do so, introduce someone new to fishing this year. It will fill your creel, guaranteed.

The state of fishing in Wisconsin is generally in good shape these days. Educated and committed anglers working on these four fronts can make it even better.

Send email to psmith@journalsentinel.com