Schroon Lake Loon Rescue
Words by Leah Boget, ACLC Wildlife Technician
A juvenile loon tangled in fishing line was spotted on Schroon Lake on Sept. 3, 2025. Photo by Kent Molino.
On Wednesday, September 3rd, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) received a report of an juvenile loon tangled in fishing line on Schroon Lake. ACLC Research Biologist Griffin Archambault reached out to our network of volunteers on the lake, asking if anyone was available to get on the lake to get eyes on the loon and see more clearly what was going on.
The Schroon Lake community immediately rallied and within the hour residents Carol and Kent Molino were on the water with the loon in sight. They reported that it was indeed tangled in fishing line with a lure hanging on its chest and that it was acting abnormally, such as allowing the boat to get within three feet of it. Griffin coordinated rescue efforts from the ACLC office, sending Wildlife Technician Leah Boget to the lake.
While Leah was enroute, several other Schroon Lake residents found the loon beginning to beach itself on their peninsula. Chip Siler, Tad Matley and Bill and Tim Hinschliffe quickly circled the loon and grabbed it with towels, setting it in a plastic bin with airflow. The bin was layered with towels underneath the loon to protect its fragile keel, the bone that makes up much of its chest, and the lid was secured with bungee lines and a large rock to contain the feisty youngster. The whole contraption was placed in the back of Chip’s van with the AC running on high – loons can quickly overheat when they are not in the water, so keeping the temperature cool is critical.
Schroon Lake community members (left to right) Tim Hinschliffe, Bill Hinschliffe, Chip Siler and Tad Matley work together to corral the injured loon and safely capture it until more help could arrive. Photo by Judy Siler.
Once Leah and a qualified wildlife rehabber arrived, the loon was placed in Leah’s lap to free it from the line and to do a full work-up. The loon had initially had the line tangled around its neck and beak, thoroughly restricting its movement. However, while in the bin and thrashing around, it seemed that the chick had displaced the line around its head, and it was now just hanging around its chest. Residents hoped that this boded well, but the line, stiff and rusted, was embedded through the loon’s chest and into its esophagus before making its way back out through a separate wound. Both openings were large and concerning, indicating that the line had been in place for longer than the previously thought 24 hours. The line, with hook and lure tangled together, was easily clipped and removed, and the nickel-sized wounds were cleaned with antibiotics. The best course of action was determined to be continuing with the plan to release the loon, tasking residents with close monitoring of the chick.
The captured juvenile loon safely secured in a tub with towels to protect the loon’s keel. Photo by Connie Nadas.
Because injuries were more extensive than initially though, it was possible that this chick would need more intensive care, including stitches, but that would also require multi-day care and anesthetic. Lloons are particularly difficult to keep in captivity and often do not survive containment due to stress and secondary conditions that can develop, such as a fungal infection called aspergillosis. Whenever possible, ACLC rescuers release loons with monitoring plans in place in attempts to avoid risky surgery. While attempts can be made, loons that do undergo surgery have a low chance of survival.
The rest of the work-up was standard for a captured loon: blood was taken and feathers were carefully clipped for mercury analysis, leg and bill measurements were taken down, the loon was weighed and given fluids to treat any dehydration, and finally the loon was banded.
Close up of a feisty juvenile loon! Photo by Leah Boget.
This juvenile appeared to be about 12 weeks old, almost as large as its parents and big enough to be banded. A silver USGS band was placed on its left leg with plenty of space left for its future growth, and its unique 9-digit number was recorded. If the loon is ever recaptured, this number will link any researchers or vets with this loon’s history. USGS band placement on the left leg will be a quick indicator that it was first banded as a juvenile. All loons banded as adults have the silver USGS bands on their right legs.
The loon also received three colored bands that form a unique combination, allowing for the loon to be identified from a distance by lake monitors using binoculars. Each color combination is relayed to the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), the organization that coordinates all possible banding combinations across New England to ensure that no combinations are repeated. If this loon survives, anyone who sees it and its bands in the future can report them to organizations like ACLC to add to our databases, and to learn about their history.
The fishing line and tackle removed from the juvenile loon. Photo by Leah Boget.
The loon was now ready to be released, and, with a careful grip on the eager chick, Leah boarded a fishing boat with Chip at the helm. After driving around the southern end of the lake for a few minutes, loon calls were played on a speaker in the hopes of drawing in the chick’s family—two parents and its sibling. The family remained out of sight, but it was determined that the southern end of Schroon Lake, with an island and several sheltered coves, would be a safe place for release and likely a place the chick was familiar with because it is good habitat for loons with chicks.
Confident that this loon would find its family on its own, it was released into the water. It quickly scooted away from the boat and began wing flapping and preening. The next day it was spotted several times by residents, and seemed to be doing well. Hopefully this chick will keep its strength and learn to fly come late fall.
Thank you to the Schroon Lake community members who acted quickly to rescue this juvenile loon, and who continue to keep an eye on the loon as it recovers. As of Sept. 8, the loon has been seen behaving normally, preening, peering and feeding. It is expected to make a full recovery.
Stories like this are good reminders to pick up all discarded fishing line and dispose of it properly. Recycling fishing line is ideal, but throwing it in a trash can is better than leaving it behind where it can endanger the lives of wildlife. Look for fishing line recycling containers at boat launches and popular access points throughout the park. Also, making the switch to lead-free fishing tackle saves lives.
If you see a loon in distress, such as tangled in fishing line, grounded away from water, or beaching itself on shore, please call the Adirondack Loon Center at 518-354-8636 or email rescue@adkloon.org. Be prepared to share your name, location of the loon, description of the loon’s condition or behavior, and any photographs or video you are able to capture to help ACLC staff assess the situation.