Wolfe Lake Association LEAD FISHING TACKLE BUY BACK PROGRAM

 The "Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program," is a voluntary initiative that will serve to reduce toxic lead fishing tackle from accumulating in the environment where it is responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and other wildlife annually.  Loons, eagles, swans and waterfowl are especially vulnerable.  Lead  is very harmful to all living things, including people and it threatens our water quality.   

Lead (Pb) is a neuro-toxin which attacks the nervous system  and can lead to blindness, decreased reproductivity, seizures and death. Lead is fatal to loons and other aquatic birds.

Bald eagles are poisoned when they eat a dead or dying fish with broken line and lead tackle attached. 

Photo Credit  - Sandy Pines Wildlife  Centre - poisoned Eagle dying from lead toxicity. 

The Wolfe Lake Association, Westport, (WLA), through a generous grant  from South Frontenac Township and with support from our partners and  sponsors, has implemented a voluntary “Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back  Program.” Working with participating sporting goods retailers and  tackle shops, anglers can exchange their existing toxic  lead fishing tackle for a $10 voucher to be used on a purchase of lead-free tackle products at participating retailer locations.* Terms and conditions apply. 

Through educational opportunities at community events, such as  the Westport Area Outdoor Association’s Wolf Howl ice fishing derby, we will spread awareness about the negative impacts of lead fishing tackle and  introduce safer alternatives by offering product exchanges. For example, an angler turning in toxic lead sinkers will receive a packet of  lead-free sinkers. 

Lead fishing tackle can also be dropped off at the Westport Lions, Reuse and Recycle Centre.  Your donation will make a difference in the community. 

The WLA will collect all exchanged lead and dispose of it properly in accordance with Rideau Lakes and South Frontenac Townships.  

Photo Credit - Margie Manthey

Office of Scott Reid

Member of Parliament  |  Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston 

1-866-277-1577  &  613-257-8130  Ottawa: 613-947-2277  |  scott.reid@parl.gc.ca  |  www.scottreid.ca

"When anglers lose lead fishing tackle, it accumulates on the lake bottom and in the surrounding environment, where it endangers the aquatic community, including loons, eagles and swans. Loons are especially susceptible because they mistake lead sinkers for pebbles, which they swallow to aid digestion or when they catch and eat a fish with broken line and lead tackle attached. Once lead is ingested, it breaks down and is absorbed into the blood stream, poisoning and killing the loon. 

To protect loons and other vulnerable wildlife, I am pleased to announce the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Buy Back Program. The centrepiece of this initiative is to create awareness within the angling community on the harmful impacts of fishing with lead tackle versus the environmentally supportive benefits of switching to non-toxic alternatives. 

I am happy to endorse the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program — and together, let’s “Get the Lead Out” of our tackle boxes and out of our lakes.

Visit fishleadfree.ca to learn more about the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program, including the Westport Lions lead collection location.”

On behalf of the Township of South Frontenac, Council is pleased to endorse the “Lead Tackle  Buy Back Program” that is being implemented by the Wolfe Lake Association this year.  The "Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program," is a voluntary initiative that aims to reduce the  accumulation and effects of toxic lead fishing tackle in the environment, as it is responsible for the  deaths of millions of birds and other wildlife annually. While loons, eagles, swans and waterfowl are  especially vulnerable, lead can be harmful to all living things and threatens the quality of our  waterbodies. This program looks to reduce the amount of lead tackle that is being deposited into  local lakes and waterbodies. 

Initiatives such as this are exactly what Council was hoping for when they decided to establish the  Lake Ecosystem Grant Program in 2021. Intended to support and encourage the preservation,  restoration, monitoring and analysis of lake ecosystems within South Frontenac, the Wolfe Lake  Association’s lead buy back program embodies these goals by taking action to protect our wildlife  and water bodies, while also providing a program that has the potential to positively impact a large  portion of the community. As one of the first ever recipients of the Lake Ecosystem Grant Program,  Council felt this project would be a great way to invest in our lakes, wildlife, and community. 

I encourage residents to visit http://www.fishleadfree.ca/ to learn more about the program and find  participating retailers where existing toxic lead fishing tackle can be exchanged for a $10 voucher to  be used on the purchase of non-toxic lead tackle products. 

Thank you to the members of the Wolfe Lake Association and their partner supporting this initiative,  your help is protecting and pressing the Township’s beautiful water bodies for years to come is  greatly appreciated.  

Yours truly, 

Mayor Ron Vandewal