Fishing is a favourite pastime, and with warm weather and calm waters, summer is a great time to wet a line. But many anglers are not aware that a common item in their tackle box is harming the very ecosystems they love. Lead, despite being highly toxic, is still widely used in fishing tackle. These small pieces of metal can have big consequences for birds, fish, and even people. Thankfully, there are affordable and accessible alternatives, and local initiatives are helping to make the switch even easier.

How Prevalent Is Lead Tackle?

Many people assume that since hunting waterfowl with lead shot has been prohibited across Canada since 1999, the use of lead in fishing tackle must also have been phased out. The truth is, lead-based fishing tackle (e.g., weights, jig heads) is still widely used across Ontario, despite decades of research showing its harmful effects. 

Lead has been a go-to material for generations of anglers because it is cheap and easy to mold, but the environmental cost is staggering. An estimated 545 metric tonnes of lead fishing tackle is lost in Canadian waters every year (learn more here). These pieces often remain on lake bottoms or riverbeds, where they can be accidentally consumed by wildlife or slowly leach into aquatic ecosystems. Even casual handling of lead tackle can pose a risk—especially to children—due to the potential for lead residue to be absorbed through the skin or ingested.

Impacts on Wildlife

Lead tackle may seem small and insignificant, but it can be deadly to wildlife. Waterfowl such as loons, swans, and ducks often ingest lead weights when searching for grit or food along the lake bottom. Once swallowed, the lead is absorbed into their bloodstream, leading to muscle paralysis, organ failure, and often death.

Loons are especially at risk. In some regions, ingesting lead tackle is the number one cause of loon deaths. One study noted that 49% of necropsied loons were victims of lead poisoning. With loon populations already facing pressure from habitat loss, climate change, and human disturbance, lead poisoning is an entirely preventable threat that anglers can help eliminate.

Safer Alternatives

Non-toxic alternatives to lead tackle are widely available and perform just as well. Alternatives include tin, steel, tungsten, bismuth, and ceramic.

Look for tackle labeled “lead-free” at outdoor stores or online. Making the switch is a simple step every angler can take to reduce environmental harm. Thanks to growing awareness of the issue, more brands and retailers are stocking lead-free gear every year.

You can also trade in your old lead tackle through local exchange programs and community initiatives—some even offer rewards!

Small Change, Big Impact

The move away from lead tackle is already happening—and with your help, we can speed up the transition. Every lead weight or jig head replaced with a non-toxic alternative is a win for local lakes, wildlife, and future generations of anglers.

Help protect the species that call Steenburg Lake home by starting with something as simple as the gear in your tackle box.

• Switch to non-toxic tackle made of tin, tungsten, steel, or bismuth.
• Properly dispose of lead tackle at hazardous waste facilities or take part in local exchange programs.
• Encourage fellow anglers to go lead-free and talk to retailers about non-toxic alternatives.
• Support a local program like the The Manitouwabing Lake Community Association (MLCA) Let’s Get the Lead Out Campaign  to raise awareness and encourage anglers to make the switch to non-toxic tackle. 

For more information: stateofthebay.ca

Related News:

The 2022 FOCA Achievement Award was presented to the 

Wolfe Lake Association – Westport https://wolfelake.org/ (Frontenac County) for their “Let’s Get the Lead Out” initiative and lead fishing tackle buy-back program. This voluntary program was launched in 2022; by the end of the year, they had already collected over 100 pounds of lead, keeping this source of contamination out of the waterway. They also galvanized neighbouring lake associations to join their initiative including Upper Rideau Lake, Chaffey’s Area Lakes Association, Otter Lake, Charleston Lake, and also the Temagami Lake Association. A grant from South Frontenac Township helped to fund $10 vouchers for each person who turned in lead fishing tackle. 

Learn more online at https://wolfelake.org/toxins-in-your-tackle-box

Photo by Susan Holt Simpson on Unsplash

Article republished with permission of Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (georgianbaybiosphere.com)Originally posted July 1, 2025