Safer Fishing Tackle

Loons, swans, cranes and other waterbirds can die from lead poisoning after swallowing lead fishing sinkers and jigs lost by anglers. Sinkers and jigs do not have to be made of lead. To help protect waterbirds from getting lead poisoning, anglers can use sinkers and jigs made from non-poisonous materials such as tin, bismuth, steel and recycled glass.

What You Can Do

• Ask your local sporting goods store to stock non-lead fishing tackle.
• Use non-lead fishing weights.
• Discard old lead sinkers and jigs properly.
• Spread the word. Tell other anglers about the problem with lead and encourage them to switch to non-lead sinkers and jigs.