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Fishing Information

Lead Sinkers and Loons in Massachusetts

Background

Common loonThe Common loon (Gavia immer) nested in Massachusetts historically but was extirpated in the late nineteenth century. In 1975, however, a pair of loons was discovered nesting at Quabbin Reservoir. Today, there are a total of 19 nesting pairs of loons on 7 different lakes in the Commonwealth. Common loons reach the southern limits of their North American range in Massachusetts and their population growth in this state is limited by habitat. In general, loons require approximately 1000 acres of water per nesting pair, islands for nesting, and limited human disturbance. This is in large part why Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs support the core of the state's total loon population with 10 and 4 nesting pairs, respectively.

Lead Poisoning

Ingestion of lead fishing gear is the single largest cause of mortality for adult loons in New England. Veterinarians at Tufts University - School of Veterinary Medicine examined over 180 dead adult loons from fresh water over the past 10 years and determined that more than half these birds died as the result of lead poisoning from the ingestion of lead fishing gear. Their ongoing research has documented that ingestion of lead sinkers (including split shot) accounted for approximately 70% of the dead adult loons from fresh water. Just a single lead sinker can poison a loon. A bird with lead poisoning will have physical and behavioral changes including loss of balance, gasping, tremors and impaired ability to fly. The weakened bird is more vulnerable to predators and may have trouble feeding, mating, nesting, and caring for its young. It becomes emaciated and often dies within two to three weeks after eating the lead.

How do loons ingest lead sinkers?

There are at least two ways loons are ingesting lead sinkers. One way is when loons take minnows being used as bait. In eating the minnow, the loon breaks off the line and then swallows the hook, line, swivel and sinker. A second way appears to be when loons ingest small pebbles from lake bottoms and inadvertently swallow lead sinkers or are actively selecting them for some reason (perhaps because of their unique size, shape or shininess).

Safer Fishing Sinkers

Lead poisoning of loons does not have to happen. Ecologically safe alternatives to lead sinkers such as steel and bismuth are now readily available at cost-comparable prices to lead sinkers and come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, weights, and sizes to meet every type of fishing need.

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Regulatory Proposal

Prohibit the use of all lead sinkers* for the taking of fish in Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, the loons' primary habitat in the state.

*Note: Lead sinkers do not include lead-fishing related items including, but not limited to, artificial lures, jigs, lead-core line, keel trolling weights, or weighted flies.

Public Hearing

A public hearing on the above regulatory proposal was held at the MDC office ( the Quabbin Visitors Center) in Belchertown, MA. (485 Ware Road) on June 21, 2000, at 3:00 p.m. The Fisheries & Wildlife Board voted to prohibit the use of all lead sinkers for the taking of fish in Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs. The proposed regulatory change was limited to the two bodies of water that support the core of the state's loon population, Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs. This is not a statewide ban on the use of lead sinkers for freshwater fishing. It is intended to help protect adult freshwater loons from a known major cause of mortality. At this time, there is no biological evidence to indicate that the continued use of lead sinkers for freshwater fishing poses any significant risk to other wildlife populations elsewhere in the Commonwealth.

For more information contact: Dr. Mark S. Tisa, MA. Div. Fisheries & Wildlife,Westboro, (508) 389-6300