Help Us Help Loons
Improperly Discarded Fishing Line & Tackle Harms Wildlife
Improperly discarded fishing line is a danger to loons and other wildlife. Animals easily become entangled in the line, causing severe injury or restraining their movements in ways that can make it impossible for them to feed, evade predators or care for young. When tackle is still attached to the line, especially lead tackle, the threat is even greater.
Fishing Line Recycling Containers are made of simple materials purchased at the hardware and placed (with appropriate permissions) at boat launches or access points to encourage everyone to properly dispose of used line, or to pick up used line and dispose of it.
Installing and Maintaining a Fishing Line Recycling Container
Step 1: Get a Container
ACLC provides fully constructed fishing line containers to anyone who requests them, asking only that individuals pay shipping costs if required to ship.
Step 2: Install Your Container
Containers should be installed at boat launches or access points where they might be most useful to anglers. Within the Adirondack Park, ACLC has permission to install containers at DEC boat launches. Outside of the park, please check with appropriate organizations or private owners to receive permission before installing.
Installation is easy with large zip-ties provided by ACLC. We also include an optional “Protect Loons” sign with guidelines for how anglers and boaters can help protect loons and other wildlife.
Step 3: Monitor Your Container
When you install a container, you assume the responsibility for monitoring it and removing any deposited fishing line, tackle and, occasionally, other trash. The bottom of the containers screw off, allowing the items inside to drop out. ACLC can also provide a wooden hook to help reach up and pull deposited items out. Often, checking the containers once per month during the busy fishing season is enough.
Step 4: Send Your Line in for Recycling
Once fishing line is removed, it needs to be separated from other trash and any metal tackle. Previously, collected line could be sent to Berkley for recycling. They are no longer providing this service.
Collected line can be put in the trash, which is better than it being left in the lake or shoreline. Or, you can mail it to ACLC while we find another recycling option:
ADK Loon Center
PO Box 195
Ray Brook, NY 12977