Non-lead alternatives for fishing tackle Lead is a toxic metal that, in sufficient quantities, has adverse effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. Found in most fishing jigs and sinkers, this metal is poisoning wildlife such as loons and eagles. But there is hope. There are alternatives to traditional lead tackle. Anglers can now use sinkers and jigs made from non-poisonous materials such as tin, bismuth, steel, and tungsten-nickel alloy — and they can find them at established sporting goods retailers and on the Internet.

				Hook, line and sinker When lead fishing sinkers are lost through broken line or other means, birds can inadvertently eat them. Water birds like loons and swans often swallow lead when they scoop up pebbles from the bottom of a lake or river to help grind their food. Eagles ingest lead by eating fish which have themselves swallowed sinkers. The dangers of lead poisoning A bird with lead poisoning will have physical and behavioral changes, including loss of balance, gasping, tremors, and impaired ability to fly. The weakened bird is more vulnerable to predators, or it may have trouble feeding, mating, nesting, and caring for its young. It becomes emaciated and often dies within two to three weeks after eating the lead.
Water birds can die from lead poisoning after swallowing lead fishing tackle. Eating just one lead sinker can poison a loon.

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	In this x-ray of a dead loon found on a northern Minnesota lake, lead fishing tackle is clearly visible.

While it is hard to get an accurate count of water birds and birds of prey that die from ingesting lead tackle, current research indicates that lead poisoning is a serious concern.

Research on loons from six New England states has shown that on the majority of lakes where dead adult breeding loons were found between 1987 and 2002, about 26% of these loons died from lead poisoning. Some lakes were identified as hot spots with lead causing over 50% of documented causes of death.

In Michigan, another 15-year study examined 186 dead loons and revealed that lead poisoning — primarily from lead jigs — was the number one cause of death at 24% (44/186) of overall mortality. Limited research in Minnesota has also documented lead poisoning of loons. A study conducted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded that lead poisoning accounted for 12 percent of the dead adult loons with known causes of death.

Between 1980 and 1996, the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota reported lead poisoning in 138 of 650 eagles they treated. Since 1996, 43 additional eagles were treated for lead poisoning including 22 last year. Most of the time, the source of the lead cannot be detected as the birds have cast the material out of their systems. Because lead shot was banned in waterfowl production areas in the early 1990s, bullet fragments in big game carcasses, lead shot lodged in upland game and lead fishing tackle are considered possible sources of lead poisoning of eagles.

These pebbles and sinkers were found in the gizzard of a lead-poisoned loon. Loons swallow pebbles to help them grind up their food. Unfortunately, sinkers can be similar to the stones the birds are looking for.

Anglers can help prevent lead poisoning.

Inexpensive and ecologically sound alternatives to lead fishing weights are available. Anglers can use sinkers and jigs made from non-poisonous materials such as tin, bismuth, steel, and tungsten-nickel alloy.

A great way to help is teaching good stewardship to young anglers. Outfit kids' tackle boxes with non-lead weights. They are nontoxic and safer for youngsters to handle. Plus, inexperienced anglers tend to lose the most sinkers, so you'll be cutting down on the amount of lead getting left behind in Minnesota lakes and rivers.

During the 2002-03 session in Minnesota, the state Legislature considered banning the sale and use of lead tackle. But after a series of stakeholder discussions, the groups involved agreed that a better approach was to educate anglers about the alternatives to lead tackle and to offer opportunities to try out non-lead sinkers and jigs. This effort is supported by the cooperation of tackle manufacturers, retailers, lake associations, conservation organizations, sports enthusiasts, and government.

In a growing number of areas outside Minnesota, non-lead tackle isn't just a good idea — it's the law. Restrictions and bans of lead fishing sinkers and jigs are becoming more common in the United States and other countries.

United States

• New Hampshire has banned the use and sale of lead fishing sinkers that weigh less than an ounce and lead jigs smaller than an inch.
• Maine and New York have banned the sale of lead sinkers weighing a half-ounce or less.
• In 2004, the Vermont Legislature passed a bill banning the sale (January 2006) of lead sinkers weighing 1/2 ounce or less, and then the use (January 2007) of those lead sinkers in the state.
• In June 2000, the Massachusetts Fisheries & Wildlife Board voted to prohibit the use of all lead sinkers for the taking of fish in Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, the two bodies of water that support the core of that state's loon population.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banned lead sinkers in two national wildlife refuges and Yellowstone National Park; restrictions have been discussed on the use of lead sinkers and jigs at other national wildlife refuges where loons and trumpeter swans breed.

Other countries

• Great Britain restricted the use of lead fishing weights weighing less than 1 ounce.
  
• In Canadian national parks and national wildlife areas, it is illegal to use lead fishing sinkers and jigs weighing less than 50 grams, a ban that went into effect in 1997. In 2002, the Canadian House of Commons debated proposed legislation to expand the restrictions of lead tackle use across the country. In February 2004, Environment Canada—the federal agency in Canada responsible for environmental protection issues—announced its intent to pursue actions to prohibit the import, manufacture, and sale of lead sinkers and jigs. | Fishing Lead-free: A Regulatory Proposal
    In Ontario, Quetico Provincial Park officials are proposing to restrict the use of lead sinkers and tackle as part of the Quetico Fisheries Stewardship Plan (4.3Mb). While no restrictions are currently in place, visitors are encouraged to use lead-free tackle. Park officials are pursuing a regulation change under the Provincial Parks Act to ban the use of lead in sinkers and tackle.
• Even in Australia, leaders are colorfully debating whether to restrict the use of lead fishing tackle. In October 2005, the New South Wales Legislative Council (state senate) discussed Canada's proposed restrictions and members of Parliament sparred over the severity of the issue.
  
  
  

Use non-lead fishing weights. Inexpensive and ecologically sound alternatives to lead fishing weights are available. Anglers should use sinkers and jigs made from non-hazardous materials such as steel, tin and bismuth.

Never throw old fishing gear into the water or shore. Discard old lead sinkers and jigs properly. For example, you may want to bring them to your local household hazardous waste collection site during your next visit.

Never put a lead sinker in your mouth or bite down on slip shot—use a pair of pliers instead!

Always wash you hands thoroughly after handling lead sinkers or cleaning out your tackle box.

Spread the word. Tell other anglers about the problem, and encourage them to switch to non-lead sinkers and jigs. Talk to your favorite retailers and ask them to stock non-lead fishing tackle.

Over three years, Minnesota anglers have turned in more than 2500 pounds of lead tackle.

To make it easier for anglers to clean out their tackle boxes and make the switch to nonlead sinkers and jigs, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota DNR have partnered with retailers, lake associations, and conservation and outdoors groups to offer lead tackle exchanges across the state.

The exchanges are designed to be educational and give anglers a chance to try out the growing variety of non-toxic tackle and compare these new products against lead versions.

• a tabletop sign
• fact sheets
• sample packets of lead-free jigs and weights 

Make arrangements for using kit at your next meeting! Contact Dan Miller <daniel.miller@pca.state.mn.us>, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, at 651-297-8319 or 800-657-3864 toll free.

Non-lead fishing tackle is not a novelty product. Ask for it at retailers and shops. In addition, you can go straight to these web sites of tackle manufacturers.

Ambush Lures | www.ambushlures.com
"Scented Polymer Matrix" nontoxic weights are made from densified plastic.

Bass Pro Shops | www.basspro-shops.com
Search their web site for "XPS" and "Excalibur" weights (tungsten), "Ultra Steel 2000," and "Sticky Weight" tungsten putty, "Lake Fork" tungsten jigs, Gremlin Green "bismuth worm sinkers," and "Safe-Sink" densified plastic worm weights.

Big Ten Tackle | www.bigtentackle.com
An online source for ceramic and steel sinkers.

BossTin | www.bosstin.com
Fishing weights made of tin, including split shot, stylers, swivel sinkers, and a variety of egg and bullet sinkers.

Bullet Weights | www.bulletweights.com
Alternative terminal tackle products. "Ultra Steel" sinkers and interchangeable jigs, and tin split shot. New for 2007: line of tungsten bullet and screw-in weights.

Cabela's | www.cabelas.com
This retailer carries many brands of "non-toxic fishing weights" in their online catalog.

Conquistador Tackle Company | www.conquistadortackle.com
The Conquest tungsten bullet slip weight is available in seven different sizes.

Dr. Drop tungsten composite sinkers | http://drdropsinkers.com
Tungsten composite sinkers use exclusive "friction grip" allowing for fast attachment and retrieval. New for 2006, a "click and slide" weight, as well as traditional bullet and bell sinkers in several weights.

Double Necker Rigs | www.doublenecker.com
Fishing rig made from recycled beverage bottles. Use as a bobber or a weight.

Envio-Weights | www.envio-weights.com
Nontoxic tackle made from reprocessed landfill steel and resin: Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs, lures, and weights of all kinds.

Enviroball 2000 | www.enviroball.com
Cast-iron downrigger weights come in extremely large sizes for primarily for saltwater and Great Lakes applications.

Flambeau Outdoors | www.flambeauoutdoors.com/fishing.html
New "Safe-Sink" worm weights and jig heads are made from a proprietary nontoxic plastic material with tungsten that promises the same specific gravity as lead.

The Gapen Company | www.gapen.com
Minnesota manufacturer sells some tin jigs, including the Crappie Vixen and The Jerk.

Gravity Fishing | www.gravityfishing.com
Heikkila sinker and jigs made from Tundra, a tungsten composite material. Available exclusively at Gander Mountain stores.

Islander Lures | www.islanderlures.com
Lead-free ice fishing and crappie jigs made of tin.

Jackfish Lures | www.jackfishlures.com
Jigs and sinkers made of bismuth.

Johns Freshwater Jigs | 412-351-2099
Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of premium bismuth/tin jigs. Sold wholesale in large quantities, typically to tackle stores and distributors. To request a catalog, email bobsjigs@yahoo.com or call 412-351-2099.

Kanji International | www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpage-KTDS.html
Tungsten drop shot weights are more dense than lead, up to 50% smaller than their lead cousins of same weight. The smaller weight is marketed as more sensitive for detecting subtle bites in deep dropshot fishing. 

Lake Fork Tackle | www.lakeforktackle.com/weights.htm
The "Mega-Weights" line features worm weights and barrel weights made from a tungsten-nickel alloy.

Lead Free Jig Heads | www.leadfreejigheads.com
Online retailer of tin/bismuth alloy sinkers and jigs in a variety of styles.

Lindy Fishing Tackle | www.lindyfishingtackle.com
New for 2007: Eco-Safe E-Z Tube Weights are made of a tin/pewter alloy, and available in four weight sizes, with and without rattles.

Loon Outdoors | www.loonoutdoors.com/sinkets.html
The "Deep Soft Weight" (1 oz.) is made from tungsten.

Lucky Strike Bait Works Ltd. | www.luckystrikebaitworks.com
Jigs, jig heads, sinkers, and split-shot made from nontoxic bisumth and tin.

Northland Fishing Tackle | www.northlandtackle.com
The "Nature Jig" is 100% lead free, cast from a nontoxic bismuth/tin alloy.

Outkast Tackle | http://outkasttackle.com
Bass jigs made of bismuth. Purchase online, or find a dealer.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands | www.lurenet.com
Excalibur series of tungsten barrel and line weights. Bullet-shaped YUM weights are made of tungsten and plastic and are porous in nature to absorb and hold scents. Find a dealer.

Rocky Ledge Bass Tackle | www.rockyledge.com
Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and jigs made from pewter.

Timmy Tom's Jig Company | www.timmytoms.com
Tapered tube, minnow head, and weedless crappie jigs made of a tin alloy; from 1/64 oz. to 1/8 oz.

Tru-Tungsten | www.tru-tungsten.com
Lead-free weights and jigs made of 97% tungsten. Worm weights available a variety of colors, as well as convertible drop weights and jigs, buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits.

Water Gremlin | 800-328-1440
Since the early 1990s, this Minnesota tackle manufacturer has been marketing "Gremlin Green" tin split shot. A new line of bismuth tackle is now available in the teardrop-shaped Dipsy Swivel, egg, and bullet-shaped slip sinker styles.

Yakima Bait Company | www.yakimabait.com
Yakima's Freshwater line of jigs and lures are made of tin or brass. (Original and Vibric Rooster Tails contain lead).

Du-Co Ceramics | www.du-co.com or 724-352-1511
Jigs and sinkers made from ceramic. Call Nick Norante for product information or becoming a distributor.

Ecomass | www.ecomass.com
Ecomass is a non-toxic polymer-metal composite with the same density as lead which can be molded into fishing weights and lures. Used in lead-free fishing tackle lines from Flambeau Outdoors and Bass Pro Shops.

RTP Company | www.rtpcompany.com
Manufactures lead-free high gravity thermoplastics for terminal tackle and ammunition manufacturers.