Scenario

You hook a loon while fishing

Action

Reel the loon in slowly: you do not want to set the hook deeper or have the line break

Use a fish landing net, towel, jacket, or blanket, to bring the loon out of the water

While de-hooking, it is most important to keep the loon from flapping around

Wrap it with a towel or use gloved hands

Hold the wings firmly against its back and brace the legs against its body

Eye protection is also recommended

Best practice to de-hook/untangle the loon is to have two people: one person holds onto the loon and the other removes the hook and fishing line

Additionally

DO NOT

Cut your fishing line: the loon will suffer a slow death from drowning or starvation

If your line breaks while reeling in the loon get help from anyone available to recapture the loon

DO NOT

Lift the loon out of the water by the fishing line: it will only set the hook in deeper and increase the risk of the line breaking