2003 - 03  Lead Sinkers in the State of Minnesota

Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and wetlands are resources that are important to the economy and to our way of life. They are enjoyed by cabin owners, recreationists, visitors to our state, waterfowl hunters, and over one million anglers each year. They are also a vital part of the ecosystem that sustains us and the wildlife in our state including fish, waterfowl, turtles, ospreys, eagles, and the Minnesota state bird the Common Loon.

Today, lead (and zinc) sinkers and jigs may be used in the state of Minnesota for fishing. In the course of fishing they may be lost into lakes and rivers or left in the remains of fish. Most waterfowl ingest coarse gravel which helps digestion by grinding their food. Multiple studies from several states including Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine have shown that Common Loons and Trumpeter Swans may inadvertently ingest lead. Once ingested, the nervous system or reproductive system is adversely affected and the loon or swan will typically die within two to three weeks. Research from 1978 has shown that bald eagles ingest lead secondhand while eating sick or dead waterfowl such as loons, ringneck ducks, and swans. Ongoing studies done since 1980 by the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center have repeatedly shown high percentages of eagles tested have elevated levels of lead in their system. Other predators like otters, osprey, and fox may consume fish and waterfowl and lead may move along the food chain. There are already alternatives to lead/zinc sinkers on the market which are available from national discount stores such as Target and Wal-Mart and outdoors oriented specialty stores such as Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops. These alternatives are constructed using non-toxic materials such as tin, steel, bismuth, tungsten, iron etc.

Though usage of lead sinkers is still legal, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is building awareness among anglers about their usage and the consequences to the environment. It should be noted that household paint no longer has lead additives. Leaded gasoline is no longer available for automobiles. The use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting has been banned for over a decade. Yellowstone National Park, and the Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge in Montana have banned lead weights due to Trumpeter Swan deaths. Maine, New Hampshire, and the Canadian National Parks and Wildlife areas have banned the use of small lead tackle for fishing. England has banned lead weights since 1987 due to Muted Swan deaths.

Therefore be it resolved that the Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League of America in convention April 26, 2003, at Owatonna, Minnesota supports preserving the lakes, rivers, and wetlands of Minnesota in a pristine condition and protecting its wildlife from lead or zinc poisoning by urging the following:

1. Prohibit the sale of lead/zinc sinkers and jigs of less than 1 ounce or less than 1 inch by December 31, 2008.
2. Promote the disposal of existing lead tackle through the use of recycling drop off stations.