As trumpeter swans die, Minnesota lawmakers consider banning lead jigs and fishing tackle Educational campaigns about toxic effects in lakes have had little effect. February 24, 2021 11:02am Text size Copy shortlink:
State lawmakers are looking at banning lead fishing tackle, targeting the most common sinkers and jigs on the market.
The small bits of lead, which have been building up on lake bottoms for decades, are poisoning and killing trumpeter swans, loons, bald eagles and other wildlife.
Swans and loons are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning from tackle, diving to the bottoms of lakes to scoop up small slip shots and other sinkers as if they were gravel to grind up and help digest their food.