5 NH Loons Killed By Lead Tackle

LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, NH — New Hampshire Fish and Game officials last week issued an alert after five loons were found dead from ingesting lead tackle in recent weeks. Loons are a threatened species and their biggest threat is from ingesting discarded lead tackle, officials said. In 2016, a statewide ban on lead tackle weighing less than an ounce went into effect.

"It is early in the season to have this many lead poisoned loons. July and August are historically the months when lead poisoned loons are most often found," Fish and Game said in a statement. "At least three of the loons had associated tackle (hooks, line, etc.) indicating that ingested tackle was likely from current fishing activity and not from old tackle on the bottom."

A lead tackle buyback program is running through Labor Day — anglers can exchange an ounce or more of lead tackle at AJ’s Tackle in Meredith and The Tackle Shack in Newbury for a $10 gift certificate.

There are fewer than 1,000 loons left in the state. Their general habitat is in and around the White Mountains and Lakes Region. The birds are also threatened by discarded fishing line and boat strikes.

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