I N C E P T I O N A I

Top 5 Catch and Release Landing Nets in the United States for 2025: Knotless, Low-Impact, Fish-Safe Picks

Catch and release landing nets are designed to minimize harm to fish at the moment of landing and during release. For 2025 American anglers are prioritizing nets with smooth knotless mesh, shallow basket shapes, and soft coatings that protect delicate fish skin and the protective slime layer. This category is especially appealing in the USA because of strong conservation ethics, catch and release regulations for species like trout and salmon in many provincial waters, and a growing demand from kayak, fly, and shore anglers for compact, efficient tools that speed safe release. Increasingly popular features include biodegradable or low-impact materials to reduce environmental footprint if a net is lost, collapsible frames and telescoping handles for portability, and designs optimized for the size and behavior of common American species such as trout, salmon, bass, walleye, and pike. Below we highlight the top 5 catch and release landing nets available or popular in the USA for 2025, focusing on fish safety, durability, and angler convenience.

Top Picks Summary

  1. Brodin Ghost Series Landing Net
  2. EGO S2 Slider Rubber Net
  3. Frabill Conservation Series Landing Net
  4. Plusinno Telescopic Folding Landing Net
  5. StowMaster Eco-Knotless Landing Net
1
BEST FLY FISHING CATCH AND RELEASE NETS

Brodin Ghost Series Landing Net

Brodin

The Brodin Ghost Series Landing Net is the premium, market-leading choice for anglers who prioritize top-tier materials and minimal fish stress—its handcrafted wooden frames and fine knotless mesh minimize damage and allow very controlled netting for catch-and-release. Technically superior and made with precision in Sweden, it carries a higher price than the Fishpond and Rising Brookie but offers durability and fish safety that justify the investment for frequent, conservation-minded fishermen.

4.8
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  • Spectral lightness

  • Mirror-clear hoop

  • Spectral lightness

  • Mirror-clear hoop

Review Summary

96%

"Exceptionally light and well-crafted wooden landing net praised for balance, finish, and fish-safe mesh; most buyers call it a near-perfect high-end net despite the higher cost. "

  • Ultra-slick release

  • High-modulus frame for excellent balance and durability

  • Ultra-slick release

  • High-modulus frame for excellent balance and durability

Recreational Enjoyment

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

The Brodin Ghost Series Landing Net is the premium, market-leading choice for anglers who prioritize top-tier materials and minimal fish stress—its handcrafted wooden frames and fine knotless mesh minimize damage and allow very controlled netting for catch-and-release. Technically superior and made with precision in Sweden, it carries a higher price than the Fishpond and Rising Brookie but offers durability and fish safety that justify the investment for frequent, conservation-minded fishermen.

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$200-300 USD

2
BEST FRESHWATER CATCH AND RELEASE NETS

EGO S2 Slider Rubber Net

Ego

The EGO S2 Slider stands out as the market-leading premium choice with a high-density, non-abrasive rubber mesh and advanced sliding-frame handle that speeds netting and release for trophy freshwater fish. Technically superior materials and ergonomic design command a higher price than more economical choices like the Beckman or Frabill, but they deliver reduced fish stress and longer gear life, making it a smart investment for frequent catch-and-release anglers. Compared with compact options like the StowMaster, the EGO prioritizes performance and fish safety over packability.

4.7
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  • Hook-safe rubber - no snag

  • Sliding compact handle - pocket-friendly

  • Hook-safe rubber - no snag

  • Sliding compact handle - pocket-friendly

Review Summary

93%

"Compact, telescoping rubber net that reviewers consistently praise for its smooth slider mechanism, fish-safe rubber mesh, and durability, with most complaints limited to the premium price. "

  • Quick-fold action - ninja move

  • 100% rubber netting that protects fish slime and reduces hook tangles

  • Quick-fold action - ninja move

  • 100% rubber netting that protects fish slime and reduces hook tangles

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

The EGO S2 Slider stands out as the market-leading premium choice with a high-density, non-abrasive rubber mesh and advanced sliding-frame handle that speeds netting and release for trophy freshwater fish. Technically superior materials and ergonomic design command a higher price than more economical choices like the Beckman or Frabill, but they deliver reduced fish stress and longer gear life, making it a smart investment for frequent catch-and-release anglers. Compared with compact options like the StowMaster, the EGO prioritizes performance and fish safety over packability.

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$300-450 USD

3
BEST SALTWATER CATCH AND RELEASE NETS

Frabill Conservation Series Landing Net

Frabill
🏠 Local Product

Frabill's Conservation Series earns a best-in-class spot for inshore catch-and-release thanks to its rubberized, knotless mesh and thin, fish-friendly hoop that minimizes scale and slime damage. Compared with the stiffer or coated meshes in this list, it balances gentle handling with a midrange price, making it a technically superior and cost-effective choice for anglers prioritizing fish welfare over bulk durability.

4.7
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  • Fish-friendly mesh

  • Lightweight frame

  • Fish-friendly mesh

  • Lightweight frame

Review Summary

94%

"Consistently praised for its fish-friendly rubberized, knotless mesh and a sturdy frame that holds up to frequent inshore use; buyers note the higher price but say the net greatly improves catch-and-release survival. Overall users find it reliable and long-lasting for repeated angling trips."

  • Conservation champ

  • Rubberized, knotless mesh that minimizes scale loss and reduces hook tangles

  • Conservation champ

  • Rubberized, knotless mesh that minimizes scale loss and reduces hook tangles

Recreational Enjoyment

Eco-Friendly Living

Skill Development & Mastery

Frabill's Conservation Series earns a best-in-class spot for inshore catch-and-release thanks to its rubberized, knotless mesh and thin, fish-friendly hoop that minimizes scale and slime damage. Compared with the stiffer or coated meshes in this list, it balances gentle handling with a midrange price, making it a technically superior and cost-effective choice for anglers prioritizing fish welfare over bulk durability.

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$60-100 USD

4
BEST COMPACT FOLDABLE CATCH AND RELEASE NETS

Plusinno Telescopic Folding Landing Net

PLUSINNO

Plusinno is the best-value budget option in the compact foldable catch-and-release category, offering a telescopic shaft and folding hoop at a price point significantly below the premium contenders. Technically it doesn’t match the premium coatings or long-term durability of Beckman or Frabill, but its affordability and widely available replacement parts make it the practical choice for casual anglers and beginners.

4.2
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  • Telescopic reach

  • Fold-flat travel

  • Telescopic reach

  • Fold-flat travel

Review Summary

84%

"Buyers appreciate the Plusinno telescopic folding net for portability and value, but many who used it long-term report telescoping joints can loosen or fail under heavy or frequent use."

  • Budget pocket-pal

  • Telescopic handle extends for reach and collapses for compact storage

  • Budget pocket-pal

  • Telescopic handle extends for reach and collapses for compact storage

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Plusinno is the best-value budget option in the compact foldable catch-and-release category, offering a telescopic shaft and folding hoop at a price point significantly below the premium contenders. Technically it doesn’t match the premium coatings or long-term durability of Beckman or Frabill, but its affordability and widely available replacement parts make it the practical choice for casual anglers and beginners.

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$25-45 USD

5
BEST BIODEGRADABLE CATCH AND RELEASE NETS

StowMaster Eco-Knotless Landing Net

StowMaster

The StowMaster Eco-Knotless Landing Net earns its spot as the best budget eco option through a collapsible, travel-friendly frame and an affordable, compostable knotless mesh that preserves fish slime and speeds release. Financially attractive for casual anglers and guides, it undercuts premium carbon and many mid-market nets on price while still offering the knotless, biodegradable features that matter most for catch-and-release ethics.

4.1
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  • Knotless eco-mesh — fin-hug

  • Biodegradable frame — guilt-free

  • Knotless eco-mesh — fin-hug

  • Biodegradable frame — guilt-free

Review Summary

82%

"Buyers appreciate the StowMaster Eco-Knotless for its eco-friendly knotless mesh and convenient folding design for backpacking, but several reviewers mention hinge wear over time and a slightly heavier feel compared with premium carbon models."

  • Compact stow — pocketable

  • Knotless eco-oriented mesh that aims to reduce harm to fish and lost gear impact.

  • Compact stow — pocketable

  • Knotless eco-oriented mesh that aims to reduce harm to fish and lost gear impact.

Eco-Friendly Living

Recreational Enjoyment

The StowMaster Eco-Knotless Landing Net earns its spot as the best budget eco option through a collapsible, travel-friendly frame and an affordable, compostable knotless mesh that preserves fish slime and speeds release. Financially attractive for casual anglers and guides, it undercuts premium carbon and many mid-market nets on price while still offering the knotless, biodegradable features that matter most for catch-and-release ethics.

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$80-140 USD

The Science Behind Fish-Safe Nets

Research and fisheries guidance consistently support using nets and handling practices that reduce physical injury and stress to fish. The critical goals are to protect the skin and slime layer, prevent scale loss and fin damage, reduce hooking injuries during netting, and minimize air exposure and handling time. Fish-safe net design elements such as knotless rubber or soft silicone mesh, shallow baskets, and smooth frames have measurable benefits in reducing post-release injury and improving survival. Fisheries agencies and peer-reviewed studies emphasize that tool choice combined with quick, gentle handling produces the best outcomes for released fish.

Knotless rubber or soft synthetic meshes reduce abrasions and scale loss compared with traditional knotted nylon, lowering infection risk and improving recovery.

Shallow basket shapes and wide hoop openings allow easier hook removal and shorter handling times, which reduce stress from air exposure.

Smooth coatings and soft rims help prevent fin tearing and reduce entanglement of hooks and lures, speeding safe release.

Shorter fight and handling durations, along with wet hands or wet nets, support the integrity of the protective slime layer that defends against pathogens.

Biodegradable or low-impact materials reduce long-term environmental harm if a net is lost, aligning with stewardship priorities in American fisheries.

Fisheries agencies, including Fisheries and Oceans United States guidance and international best practices, recommend fish-friendly gear and minimal handling as part of responsible catch-and-release programs.

Choosing the right catch and release landing net in the United States means balancing fish safety, durability, and convenience. The top 5 options we profile for 2025 focus on knotless mesh, shallow baskets, soft coatings, and compact designs that help you land and release fish quickly and safely. We hope you found what you were looking for. Use the search or filters to refine by species, handle length, hoop size, material, or price to find the perfect net for your angling style.