GO FISH! BUT FIRST, CHECK YOUR TACKLE BOX
Toxic lead tackle can be deadly to Wisconsin wildlife
MADISON, WI— Throughout Wisconsin, locals and visitors are gearing up to enjoy the start of fishing season, which opens on May 2. Whether you’re a dedicated angler or a dabbler, a coalition of conservation and environmental advocacy groups encourage you to do a “tackle box audit” to get the lead out before you head to your favorite fishing spot.
Small in size but significant in impact, lead weights and jigs can be deadly to wildlife. When a line breaks, those sources of lead are left behind in the environment. Waterbirds like loons and swans can mistake lead sinkers and jigs for food. Fish that have swallowed lead tackle may be eaten by eagles or pelicans. Once birds or other wildlife ingest even a tiny bit of lead, it can cause lead poisoning—a painful and even fatal condition.
“Even the smallest trace of lead from tackle can poison wildlife, triggering starvation, organ failure, neurological deficiency, and potentially death,” says Jackie Edmunds, Wildlife Program Manager at Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center. “Lead treatment is lengthy and expensive, and survivors often remain weakened and disadvantaged.”
No one wants to lose their tackle, but even the best anglers cannot avoid every snag. The most definite way to prevent adding more lead to Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers is to avoid using it in the first place. Lead is most commonly found in split-shots, weights, and jig heads. If any of these items in your tacklebox contain lead, or if you aren’t sure what metals they contain, consider removing them and replacing them with nonlead alternatives.
Edmunds adds, “Preventing lead exposure is the only reliable way to protect wild animals from toxicity.”
Switching to nonlead tackle might even help anglers have a more successful season. Brass, steel, and bismuth are harder than lead, while tungsten is denser and has a smaller profile. These qualities may make them less likely to get caught on underwater obstacles. Some of these materials may also be “noisier” underwater than lead, which could attract the attention of more fish.
“I’ve switched to a variety of nontoxic sinkers—tin, tungsten, and brass—in a variety of weights and configurations,” says Topf Wells, a longtime Wisconsin angler. “They’ve worked well on a variety of panfish, gamefish, and other fish. I’m catching just as many fish using those instead of lead.”
Once lead has been removed from your tackle box, the next step is to find a responsible way to dispose of it. In many areas, scrap metal collection sites or hazardous waste facilities may accept lead, but be sure to call beforehand.
“Even I was surprised to find I still had lead sinkers in an old tackle box,” says Matt Reetz, Executive Director of Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance. “If making a small switch to nontoxic tackle has the power to save the lives of eagles, loons, swans, and other wildlife, it’s worth it to ensure that these iconic species can be appreciated for generations to come.”
For more information about the impact of lead on Wisconsin’s wildlife, alternatives to lead, and information about proper disposal of lead, visit Wisconsin DNR’s “Get the Lead Out” page. To find where to buy lead-free tackle near you, visit Sporting Lead-Free’s resource page or search the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s database.
Reducing lead in the environment is a priority of a statewide coalition of conservation and environmental advocacy groups, including Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, Wisconsin’s Green FireⓇ, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Sierra Club – Wisconsin Chapter, Sporting Lead-Free, International Crane Foundation, and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.
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About the Wisconsin Environmental Advocacy Coalition
The Wisconsin Environmental Advocacy Coalition began in 2024 to foster more collaboration on conservation issues in this state. The Coalition meets regularly to discuss concerns related to biodiversity, landscapes, and wildlife, and how to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of Wisconsin’s natural environment. Participating organizations include Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Sierra Club – Wisconsin Chapter, Sporting Lead-Free, International Crane Foundation, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Northeastern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and more.