Back in the 1950s, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby sang Gone Fishin', a duet about - you guessed it - their love for a leisurely day spent fishing. They aren't the only ones; millions of people all over the world participate in the activity in some form, whether it's a career or simply for sport or pleasure. It's actually estimated there more people fish than play football on a global scale, which isn't surprising since the risk of grievous bodily harm is much more minimal when you're sitting in a boat rather than being tackled or run down by an defensive line. An additional bonus of choosing fishing as a summer activity is that you don't necessarily have to travel far to do it, unlike say, playing in the ocean, which may not be feasible for those who live far away.

There are a few ways to make your fishing trip a little more environmentally-friendly, so you can have your salmon and eat it too (or not...)

Skip the motor
Canoeing may one alternative to firing up a motorized boat, but the same goes for fishing: if your favorite spot is in the middle of a lake, grab a paddle and start rowing. As it turns out, kayak fishing is growing in popularity, so if you enjoy both activities enough, buying a kayak will serve a dual purpose. Alternatively you can avoid the entire boat conundrum altogether by sitting on the dock of a lake or standing at the river's edge if you aren't particular about where you fish.

Keep it legal
We've discussed the harmful effects of overfishing in the past. Several fish species are dwindling and lakes are being emptied because of the widespread problem, so make sure you know the rules and possession limits of the spot you've chosen and follow them. The general rule of thumb is also 'don't catch more than you can eat.' If you or someone you know won't be eating the fish, limit yourself to two or follow the catch and release method. Speaking of which...

Catch and release
No, not the dismal 2006 film starring Jennifer Garner, but rather the process of catching a fish and instead of killing it, releasing it back into its habitat. This is the ideal choice for those who enjoy fishing, but have no real desire to cook their catch of the day. A couple of tips to keep in mind if this is your preferred fishing tactic:

☆ Be gentle and keep the fish in the water as much as possible

☆ Remove the hook carefully to avoid tears and cut the line if the hook won't come out easily. Artificial lures are recommended for their tendency to hook fish in the lip region.

☆ Hold the fish and move it back and forth gently until it swims away

☆ Never move fish from one water source to another

☆ If you kill it, eat it or find someone who will.

Clean up after yourself
Other than releasing fish back into the water, never leave anything else behind. Avoid tossing old fishing line, plastic or any other form of litter into the water. Wait until you get back to land and dispose of your waste in it's proper receptacle. Another closely-followed policy: What comes with you leaves with you. Simple as that.

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