I was approached, the other day at a boat ramp by a Fish & Game Warden and he was more interested in the trailer registration than anything else, he casually asked if I had a license and life jackets but never once asked about lead. Are they giving us a year to comply or was he just remiss in his questioning? Did I spend all that money for nothing? Anyone with different experience?

I have been checked at the ramp on Quabbin, basically safety equip and registration, never asked about lead. Like U Grandpa 1114, spent alot of $ on lead free, but I'll bet if I didn't have it they'd check me, just the way my luck runs, better safe than sorry.

I haven't even seen a game warden this year, but I haven't been out much and half the places I fish don't have boat ramps anyway (I'm a canoe guy).

There were three wardens (EPOs, I guess we call 'em now) that spent time on both days of the HG & E Shad Derby below the Holyoke Dam. Seemed they were checking licenses but not lead. It may be that they are letting this new regulation slide for the first year - but I doubt it's going to go away.

I've changed to molding jigs and weights from a bismuth/tin alloy which is 6x more expensive than lead but I am in compliance with MA regulations.

Grampa I had the same experience.

- Tate

That's strange indeed. When the saltwater registration came up here in the northeast a couple of years ago you had to register with the NOAA and you got a card in the mail to fish the state coastal waters for striper. Last year they left it up to the individual states to admin the registry. I only fish for striper in Maine, so I registered online, but was unable to print the registration. I called the person at Marine Resources and she said that I shouldn't worry, the Fish and Game personal will be out there more for educational purposes the first year and will enforce the laws in subsequent years. Maybe that's the route MA is taking, who knows.

Grampa I had the same experience.

- Tate

I already told you and Grampa, it's because you have guilty faces.

Not been checked yet. They did pass me on the Merrimack Wednesday while fishing at the I-93 bridge. We waved to each other as they went by. I was being a good doobie and wearing my pfd while fishing. I'll bet they were impressed.

Do any of you know how they will check that? The only way I can think of will cause destruction of the lure or finish.

Maybe a lead detector like they use for testing paint in old houses.

houses.

Thanks Tom.

I haven't been asked - yet. I've already changed over all my jig heads, crappie jigs, swimbait hooks, bass jigs, sinkers and lures to non-lead. Have probably invested over $150.00 so far and I still have a ways to go. I remember when fishing use to be the least expensive outdoor activity you participate in. What a shame it's come to this.

It seems that most of us did the same thing but nobody in authority seems to care. Perhaps they didn't agree with the rules change either. Hmmm......

Grampa

As far as I've heard, when a state outlaws lead it's the purchase, not the use. Don't know about Mass.

Nope...in Mass you can sell it but you can't use it here......

It's 2 months later and no one has mentioned that they were checked...........Hmmm.....

So now I'll ask one more time...Has anyone ever been checked for lead?

Nope. To be honest the last time I saw a warden was when you had to have the lic pinned on your hat or at least somewhere you could see it...long time ago.

ive never been checked thankfully

places i fish i havent seen a warden in 2 years lucky me