The present embodiments of the invention generally relate to a watercraft recovery device and method. The watercraft recovery method provides for operatively releasing an anchor from a watercraft, starting the watercraft, and steering the watercraft. The watercraft recovery device allows fisherman or other users to wade away from the boat and to recover the watercraft without re-navigating the water to return to the watercraft. This will help to ensure that fisherman or other users can quickly recover their boat in the case of an unexpected storm that makes the water conditions unsafe.