I was just looking at a lure and in the description it said the following:

 

 

• The sale of this item may be restricted in Maine (ME), New Hampshire (NH), Vermont (VT), and New York (NY).

 

 

What the heck are you guys doing up in the Northeast?   LOL

 

It was a 7" hard swimbait with trebles if it matters.

some states have lead restrictions that affect different things.  Some are total lead bans, some are bans on lead weights smaller than a given size.  The manufacturer will put a generic note like the above and not go into the specifics for each state.  

25 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

some states have lead restrictions that affect different things.  Some are total lead bans, some are bans on lead weights smaller than a given size.  The manufacturer will put a generic note like the above and not go into the specifics for each state.  

 

I've seen CA mentioned all of the time for lead.

 

I guess this is the first I've seen these states mentioned.

California doesn’t have lead weight ban, still buy lead weights for fishing.

Ammo is another story no lead shot shells allowed.

We get the warning labels on everything that “may”  contain lead in the metal like brass for example.

Tom

^ I'm still waiting for the day when purified water makes the list in CA.

The lead law in ammo and fishing tackle has come up here in Mn more than once, but it failed both times to pass.

 

Apparently loons swim to the bottom of lakes and ingest lead weights left by anglers, which can cause lead poisoning. So there is a wildlife reason behind it.

 

Bald eagles also pick away at deer carcasses or gut piles during the hunting season and some have also experienced the same issue by ingesting lead bullet fragments.

 

The big difference here is that loon populations are not doing great while bald eagle populations have never been higher.

I live in NH and fish in all the states you mentioned, it is frustrating-especially as a sportsman who takes pride in not leaving a trace.

 

I'm just so glad that the loons only migrate to lead free states in the winter...

7 minutes ago, PourMyOwn said:

 

I'm just so glad that the loons only migrate to lead free states in the winter...

Good point...never thought about that.   My lake gets 3 or 4 pair over the winter...but never heard NC talk about a fishing lead restriction.  Not sure I'd oppose it, but it might make things more challenging.   Now, if they ever try to ban tungsten...

We have lots o loons, methinks is because we have lots of shad 

13 hours ago, gim said:

but it failed both times to pass.

Gotta remember that Otter Lake Technologies (formerly Water Gremlin) is based here. One of the largest lead-weight manufacturers in the country. How much lobbying you think they did to quash it both times?

You're a bit behind the times. Lead fishing tackle has been banned since 2007 in Vermont, 2006 in New Hampshire, 2017 in Maine. 

@MN Fisher I agree the industry lobbies against it because it affects their bottom line.  I'm sure ammo manufacturers are against it too.

 

Same reason Mercury doesn't want wake boat restrictions.  They build the engines that go in them.

As costly and ballistically poor as steel shot is when compared to lead, I think that enforcing strict laws to reduce or eliminate the use of lead shot is warranted.  WMA are often located on the bayshore here and a significant amount of shot ends up in the water.  When studied the amount of wildlife that has toxic levels of lead is concerning.  

I applaud states that take a proactive stance to safeguard what little nature may be left.  

In my state, the politicians fight to keep limits and regulations as liberal as possible to maximize the profit from vacationers who fish.  There hasn't been a successful year class of striped bass in over half a decade.  When the regulation target 1 or 2 year classes, it dooms all those fish.  Study after study can show a progressive collapse in biomass and the politicians refuse to address the problem until the only option is a 3-to-5-year moratorium, instead of just prohibiting harvest of that species for a year.

 

Lead shotgun  shot for waterfowl has been banned nationwide for many years.  Some states also  ban lead shotgun shot for all game.  I'm not sure if any state bans lead shot for trap and skeet shooting.  I'm also not sure if any state bans lead in rifle ammo.  As far as a federal ban goes, it is only for waterfowl.  Improvements in steel shot for shotguns has been significant since some of the first lead shot bans were implemented in the late 70's.  Lead  shotgun ammo is still better, than modern steal amo, but the difference is far less than in years past.  Other non toxic shot such as tungsten is actually better than lead ammunition, but very expensive. 

 

The debate whether or not waterfowl populations have improved due to the total ban of lead shot, will be heated and emotional until the end of times.  I am not a scientist nor a statistician, so I refuse to be part of any debate on the subject. 

 

Lead fishing weights are banned in a few states, but I'm not sure if lures with lead or also banned.

 

I have been fortunate enough to fish in places where the amount of angling pressure is so low, I can't imagine the use of lead having even a slight effect on wildlife populations.  I would have to assume there are areas of the US that get enough angling pressure that lead could be a significant factor in having a healthy ecosystem.  I do not currently live or fish in those areas with significant populations of fisherman, so I will not complain, or belittle others states, or countries that implement restrictions.  If any state I do not fish in feels the need to place restrictions on any hazardous materials, than I believe erring on the side of caution, may be the best action and I should mind my own business.

 

Because I believe laws are made with good intentions, and I should abide by them, I will use whatever weights are legal in the bodies of water I fish.  Because I am very frugal with my money, I will continue to use lead fishing weights where legal.  It there ever comes a time, where I believe my being cheap does damage to the wildlife in the places I fish, than I will quit using lead even if is still legal. I refuse to put any pressure on my elected representatives one way or the other, simply because I do not have the qualifications to form an educated opinion on such an important topic.

 

Tungsten fishing weights are awesome, and my good friend the Bait Monkey loves them, but everytime a loose one, I feel like I just lost one of my favorite crankbaits.  Maybe someday I will buy enough tungsten weights to last me a lifetime but today is not the day.

The effects of lead on animals and the ecosystem they inhabit are well known and understood.  That lead is still allowed to be manufactured for use in outdoor sports borders on criminal.

Tungsten is 100% a better fishing weight. It is more dense, transmits very well. However, it is also very expensive and can only be mfg over seas. Tungsten melts around 2500 F and takes very specialized equipment to melt and mold.

 

Tungsten is all I use for t-rigging.  I have spent a lot of money to acquire my tungsten.  Out of all my family that fishes which, is a lot .  I am the only who uses it.  No one else takes fishing that seriously.  Why would they use anything else.  when lead gets the job done for a fraction of the price. 

 

There was a time (20 yrs ago) in the state of Michigan. that even if a person didn’t hunt or fish they knew some one who did. Which, led to a lot of political power for the state conservation groups. Now we are getting to the point where less and less people are pursuing outdoor activities. Which, means less power  for the conservation groups to fight the anti’s. Many people in the southern 1/3 of the state ( where 2/3 population lives) do not know any one who hunts or fishes anymore. In Michigan we are having to fight for things that 15-20 years ago that were inconceivable and seemingly set in stone. Most of the time we are winning but, it takes a lot of money and man power to win. 

 

The point being the State Game Departments, hunting, and fishing mfg survive on the recreational outdoorsman.  The vast majority of which, may only get out 3-4 times a year.  You force a nationwide ban on lead it is probably going to force out Grandpa who likes his 3-4 fishing/hunting trips a year with his grandsons.  Fast forward and Those Grandkids are now adults and they want to take their children out fishing/hunting to relive the times with there Grandfather. Which, means they are buying licenses and equipment for those 3-4 trips a year.  Consequently, when a ballot initiative is thrown up about limiting hunting or fishing privileges.  The grandkids think back to grandpa taking them hunting and fishing and vote against the measure. Ensuring fishing privileges for all in that state. 

 

These types of equipment bans are designed to divide and conquer.  Eventually they will get the sportsmen and conservation groups numbers low enough and weak enough to where the anti’s can knock us around at will. Mark my words i’m  currently 40.  When our parents and grandparents are gone in the next 20 years.  Outdoorsmen are going to be in the fight of our lives. 

 

 

I have been slowly going to tungsten weights , I see the writing on the walls so to speak. 
Lead isn’t the only thing they are going to be banning.

Keep your eyes on the horizon.