Need to Know Info Continued...

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Freshwater Fishing Regulation October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2008

NON-TOXIC SINKERS
The loss of sinkers and lures is a routine part of fishing. Unfortunately, lost sinkers, especially split-shot, may be mistaken for food or grit and eaten by water birds such as ducks, geese, swans, gulls or loons. Toxic effects of even a single lead sinker can cause birds to sicken and increase the risk of death through predation, exposure or lead poisoning.

Effective May 7, 2004, the sale of certain lead sinkers (including "split shot") weighing one-half ounce or less is prohibited in New York State. This includes sale from out-of-state vendors, including catalog and Internet sales. This prohibition does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads. As responsible anglers, we should all seek to reduce any unintended effects on the natural environment and leave no trace of our presence. A trip to your favorite tackle shop will reveal a variety of alternatives to lead split shot, sinkers and jig heads. By switching to non-toxic sinkers with your next purchase, you can assure that your fishing tackle choices are helping to reduce the risk of lead poisoning to birds.

Here at the Anglers’ Den we have found the following alternatives product to be quite effective.
These products have been field tested by our pro staff.

•   Anchor Pro XS non toxic
•   Gremlin tin shot
•   Di-Do tungsten putty from air-flo