Lead Tackle Exchange - 2005

[Rick]

Anglers get the lead out at exchange events this year

St. Paul, Minnesota, June 2 - This summer, the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are partnering with retailers, lake associations, and conservation and outdoors groups to offer lead tackle exchanges across the state. Over 30 lead tackle exchange events are scheduled to begin this month and run through August.

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. There is no charge to exchange tackle.

How it works. Depending on what anglers turn in, lead tackle will be swapped out for non-lead jigs, split shot, walking sinkers, bullet/worm slip and bell swivel weights in various sizes and colors. Anglers who swap lead tackle will also receive a sample packet of the new Dr. Drop tungsten composite weights, as well as Bullet Weights stainless steel tackle.

Strategy of education and partnerships. Although restrictions on lead tackle are becoming more common in the United States and other countries, here in Minnesota there are no bans on the sale or use of lead weights and jigs. Perhaps the biggest recent development is Canada's nationwide proposal to ban the manufacture, import, and use of lead sinkers and jigs.

"By educating the general public and partnering with tackle makers and retailers, we've made great progress in moving toward lead-free fishing tackle," said Kevin McDonald, coordinator of the OEA's non-lead tackle program. "More anglers are excited about lead-free fishing products, and manufacturers and retailers are responding," said McDonald.

This year, the OEA will also offer a "Get the Lead Out" tool kit to the more than 550 individual lake associations in Minnesota. "Lake association meetings are an ideal venue for spreading the word about environmentally friendly tackle," says Paula West, Executive Director of the Minnesota Lakes Association.

Minnesota tackle makers respond. Fishing tackle is big business, and Minnesota is known for its innovative tackle companies. In Minnesota today over half a dozen tackle makers are now offering non-toxic product lines. "Transitioning away from lead in producing tackle not only makes sense for the environment and wildlife, but keeps this important industry strong right here in Minnesota," points out McDonald.

Non-lead tackle continues to drop in price and is increasingly competitive with lead counterparts. For example, the new tungsten composite weights by Gravity Heikkila are comparatively priced to lead split shot and offer superior performance. These new weights "snap on," an innovative feature drawing interest from anglers. Another promising new product is the tungsten composite sinkers produced by Eagan-based Dr Drop, Inc. The weights, introduced earlier this year, feature an exclusive "friction grip" process that allows for fast attachment and retrieval.

Carrol Henderson, supervisor of the DNR's Nongame Wildlife Program, is enthusiastic about Minnesota's approach to increasing the use of lead-free tackle. "Minnesota's "Get the Lead Out" program is a great model of educating citizens about the impact of purchasing decisions on wildlife and stimulating the creative energies of the private sector," said Henderson.

Response to the Get the Lead Out! Campaign. Over the past two years, thousands of people have exchanged more than 2,000 pounds of lead tackle as part of 50+ lead tackle exchanges held throughout the state. Survey results from the 2005 Northwest Sportshow indicate a high level of awareness about the dangers of lead in fishing tackle, and further, that a significant number of Minnesotans are planning to or have begun to switch over to non-lead tackle.

Why is lead a concern? Lead is a toxic metal that has adverse effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. Traditionally used in fishing jigs and sinkers, this metal has been found to poison wildlife such as loons and eagles that inadvertently swallow tackle made from lead.

Schedule of events: Visit http://www.moea.state.mn.us/sinkers for complete details.

June 16 (2pm - 7pm) Bloomington Gander Mountain, 9801 Lyndale Ave S

June 17 (1pm - 6pm) Buffalo Buffalo Bob's Bait and Tackle, 10 Central Ave

June 18 (Noon - 5pm) Hermantown Gander Mountain, 4275 Haines Rd

June 18 (7am - 12pm) Coon Rapids Mississippi River Carp Festival, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park

June 23 (2pm - 7pm) Maple Grove Gander Mountain, 8030 Wedgewood Ln

June 24 (2pm - 7pm) Frazee Ken's Bait & Tackle, 207 W Main Ave

June 25 (9am - 2pm) Bemidji Kobilkas North Country Sporting Goods, 3724 Bemidji Ave N

June 26 (9am - 3pm) Owatonna Cabela's, 3900 Cabela Dr

June 30 (2pm - 7pm) Little Canada Joe's Sporting Goods, 33 Cty Road B

July 8 (2pm - 7pm) White Bear Lake Hansen's Little Bear Bait & Tackle, 5051 Stewart Ave

July 8 (2pm - 7pm) Shorewood Minnetonka Outdoors, 19905 W Hwy 7

July 8 (2pm - 7pm) St. Cloud Sportsman's Warehouse, 60 Waite Ave

July 9-10 (7:30am - 4pm) International Falls Voyageurs National Park Boat Landings

July 15 (2pm - 7pm) Alexandria Alexandria Outfitters, 915 State Hwy 29 N

July 16 (10am - 3pm) Grand Marais Buck's Hardware, Hwy 61 in town

July 16 (10am - 3pm) Slayton Captain Bly's, 11 Valhalla Rd

July 22 (2pm - 7pm) St. Paul Xiong's Live Bait & Tackle, 1239 Rice St

July 23 (10am - 3pm) Baxter Paul Bunyan Nature Learning Center, Hwy 371 & Cty Rd 49

July 24 (11am - 3pm) Minneapolis Minneapolis Aquatennial, Thomas Beach at Lake Calhoun

July 28 (1pm - 6pm) Grand Rapids Ben's Bait & Tackle, 533 NW 4th St

July 28 (2pm - 7pm) Woodbury Gander Mountain, 7150 Valley Creek Plaza

July 29 (2pm - 7pm) Two Harbors Al's Bait & Tackle, 1028 7th Ave

July 29 (1pm - 6pm) Waterville White Water Bait & Tackle, 101 Hwy 13 (near Casey's)

July 30 (11am - 4pm) Park Rapids Delaney's Sport Center, 702 E First

Aug. 4 (2pm - 7pm) Red Wing 4 Seasons Sports, 2301 W Main St

Aug. 11 (2pm - 7pm) Chisago City Frankies Live Bait & Marine, 10680 South Ave

Aug. 12 (1pm - 6pm) Virginia Lucky Seven Sporting Goods, 820 Hoover Rd

Aug. 12 (1pm - 6pm) Hackensack Swanson's Bait & Tackle, North end of Hwy 371

Aug. 19 (10am - 3pm) Ortonville Bud's Bait, 748 2nd St SE

Aug. 20 (10am - 3pm) Baxter Gander Mountain, 385 Edgewood Dr

Aug. 25 (2pm - 7pm) Spicer Mel's Sport Shop, 102 Ruth St

Additionally, two organizations will offer continuous tackle exchanges this season:

* Eagan (June 1 - Aug. 31): Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitors Center, 860 Cliff Rd.

* International Falls area (July 10 - Aug. 31): Voyageurs National Park Visitor Centers

The OEA is a state agency dedicated to protecting Minnesota's environment and assuring a sustainable economy through waste prevention and resource conservation.