Eight of 28 deceased loons recovered in 2024 and submitted to DEC for necropsy were found to have died of lead poisoning.
This makes lead poisoning a leading cause of death for loons recovered, along with trauma, both human-caused (boat strikes) and trauma due to natural behaviors (fighting over territory).
The primary way loons ingest lead tackle is by swallowing fish that have tackle attached to them, either by striking at fish as they are being reeled in or by eating fish that have broken the line.
X-rays and necropsies of loons that have died of lead poisoning show that jig head hooks are a primary source of poisoning. Painted jig head hooks are just as toxic as non-painted ones because the loon’s gizzard breaks down any material the loon swallows.
Once ingested, loons die of lead poisoning from even a small piece of lead in two to four weeks. Symptoms of lead poisoning in loons include a lack of concern for human presence, lethargy, diarrhea, weakness, tremors and muscle paralysis.
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) in Saranac Lake, NY, is once again sponsoring the Lead Tackle Buy Back Program to encourage anglers to make the switch to lead-free fishing tackle.
Anglers can turn in their lead tackle to any participating tackle shop or at the Adirondack Loon Center on Main Street in Saranac Lake and receive a $10 voucher to be used to purchase lead-free alternatives.
Tackle shops will be reimbursed for every voucher exchanged. To see a full and updated list of participating tackle shops, visit the Lead Tackle Buy Back page on the ACLC website.
In 2024, 32 tackle and sport shops throughout the Adirondacks participated in the program. Most are returning to participate in 2025. New tackle shops can participate by expressing their interest in an email to lboget@adkloon.org.
To learn more about Adirondack loon research and conservation, visit adkloon.org.
Read more about loons in New York State.
Photos, from above: Lead Free Tackle (photo by Denise Silfee-Adirondack Loon Center with support from Woods and Waters in Saranac Lake); and an x-ray of a deceased loon recovered and necropsied in 2023 showing a lead jig in its gizzard (provided by Adk Loon Center).
Source link
