Get The Lead-Out – Save our wildlife and environment

We all stop whatever we are doing, even sleeping when we hear that call on the lakes of our state bird and friend on the lakes the LOON. It’s the sound of summer on a lake and we are so very lucky to have these beautiful birds grace our days and nights. Cook County Coalition of Lake Association has taken on the initiative this year and for the foreseeable future to educate and ask our community to join forces to reduce and eliminate the use of lead fishing equipment in our waters.

Lead is toxic to wildlife even in small amounts it is lethal to loons, eagles, and trumpeter swans. It is estimated that lead is responsible for up to 25 percent of loon deaths each year. Loons pick up lost lead tackles while gathering pebbles for their gizzards. Loons are also exposed when eating fish that have ingested lead. Lead is also toxic to people, both when handling lead products and in the manufacturing process.

Your local lake and area associations are providing a swap program to bring in your old lead tackle and receive a packet of non-lead equipment. The non-toxic alternatives include tungsten, bismuth, steel, tin, glass and stone, and metal composite. Bucks Hardware has joined our effort to be a central spot in town for anyone to drop off their old lead equipment as well. You can find additional information at: leadout@state.mn.us. Lets have Cook County become the state leader for Getting The Lead Out.

– Carrie Framstad