MAINE, USA — For the past decade, various legislation has been addressed lead fishing tackles in Maine, but now a new law is expanding on previous efforts.
As of Sept. 1, the sale of painted lead sinkers and bare jigs that are 2.5 inches long or smaller and weigh an ounce or less are prohibited.
The law focuses on the state's lakes, ponds, and streams as the loon is the driving force behind the bill.
"Once they pick up that piece of lead and then it's in their gizzard as they're digesting food, they're just grinding that chunk of lead, and it's slowly leaching out into their body," Maine Audubon Wildlife Biologist Laura Williams said. "It most typically results in death, and that takes about two to four weeks."
Peter Mourmouras owns Saco Bay Tackle.
He says while anglers will need to learn to adapt to new regulations, there is a gray area.
"The confusing part about it is that you can still use lead in saltwater, whereas you cannot use it in freshwater," Mourmouras said. "I think getting a more detailed description on what they need to do won't be as vague as it has been in the past."
Especially to those coming out of state, but Mourmouras said that's when speaking to locals can come in handy.
"That's where a local tackle shop is helpful to people coming in here looking for knowledge and what the locals are doing," Mourmouras said.
If you have an inventory of the now-banned lead fishing tackles, don't panic. You have until September 2026 to stop using them.
"People have time to make the switch in their tackle box, use some of their old tackle, and research the new alternatives that you can use instead of lead," Williams said.
Even though there are other options, they may cost more money.
"The alternatives are more expensive," Mourmouras said. "I think that's the ... biggest obstacle."
However, making the change could save the life of a loon.
"We have the largest population of breeding loons in New England, and so us continuing to contribute to that is really important," Williams said.
Williams said Maine Audubon is offering to buy the stock of banned lead tackles from stores to help offset that cost of revenue.
To learn more about the buyback program and the lead tackle ban, click here.