Audio Getting the lead out (story audio) Photos Jim Simmons Seth Haukedahl David Zentner View full slideshow (4 images) Resources Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance web page on lead tackle Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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Getting the lead out
by Stephanie Hemphill, Minnesota Public Radio
July 15, 2003

Duluth angler Jim Simmons brought in some lead tackle, and received some steel and ceramic tackle in exchange. (MPR Photo/Stephanie Hemphill)

All over Minnesota, people are bringing old fishing tackle back to the store. Two state agencies are teaming up with conservation groups to offer free lead tackle exchanges. There's growing evidence that lead tackle is poisoning loons and eagles.

Duluth, Minn. — Outside Duluth's Gander Mountain store, a steady stream of people drops lead tackle into a cardboard box. They bring it in plastic bags, in jars, and in the original wrappers.

Jim Simmons turns over one package of split shot.

In exchange, he receives some steel jigs and a couple of steel weights.

"I think it'll work fine," he says.

Another angler, Seth Haukedahl, says he's just starting to learn about the problem with lead tackle.

	Seth Haukedahl

"You can't use lead load when hunting; the ducks are having problem feeding on that," he says. "And I really didn't understand that a lot of the jig heads were lead. It hadn't crossed my mind at all."

A lot of anglers simply don't realize lead tackle could be hurting loons.

No one uses lead shot for hunting anymore. It was banned years ago. But loons, eagles, and other birds are still dying from lead poisoning.

Eagles can be poisoned by eating fish that have eaten lead.

Loons dive to the bottom of lakes and pick up pebbles and eat them. The pebbles go to the bird's gizzard, where they help grind up the small fish they eat. The problem comes when a loon swallows a lead sinker or jig lost by some angler. It only takes a small piece to poison the bird.

Some studies in New England have found as many as half the loons could be dying from lead poisoning. In the midwest, the figure is much lower. More research is underway.

The Minnesota Legislature considered a lead tackle ban. But fishing groups and tackle manufacturers fought the bill. A milder version calling for educational programs passed. That's how these lead tackle exchanges came about.

Long-time Izaak Walton League activist David Zentner supported the original bill, which was authored by Duluth Senator Yvonne Prettner-Solon.

	David Zentner

"I've long watched environmental issues," he says. "Initially, it's, 'say it aint so.' Then it's, 'if you do this we'll all go out of business.' So I think we need Yvonne's legislation as a carrot-stick relationship."

The tackle industry been researching alternatives. Water Gremlin in White Bear Lake has started making tackle out of other materials. But manufacturers don't want to re-tool in a big way until they're sure there'll be a market for the new products.

Anglers may resist spending a little more for the bismuth and tungsten weights that behave like lead. But advocates say the prices will come down as the demand goes up.

David Zentner says Minnesota should be leading the way in protecting loons and other water birds.

"We've been breast-beaters for years that we're such a progressive state," he says. "And the loon isn't the only bird threatened. But it's our state bird. So what are we thinking if we aren't moving aggressively to protect that resource?"

	Exchanging tackle

Lead tackle exchanges are being held at Gander Mountain and other sporting goods stores across Minnesota all summer.

In Duluth, Wayne Hoshal says he's been using alternative products for almost a year. He says he has to use more weights to get the same result, but fishing with the new products is basically the same.

"If you want to get the line down, it gets the line down," he says. "If you want to catch fish, it's 'same old, same old.'"

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