Northwest Fishing Reports

a few weeks back there was a thread on lead weights possibly being outlawed in WA. I looked at the online regs. but could not find any thing on this subject except for an advisory story. Can someone out there come up with a definitive answer. I have gift cards for both Cabela's and Bass Pro, and I dont really want to buy new weights if I don't have too. Thanks in advance

i think it was proposed to be outlawed in a couple specific lakes. don't worry about it.

Here is the text out of the proposed rule changes document for 2010:

#32. Lead-Tackle on Lakes Where Loons Breed
Proposal: This proposal would make it unlawful to use lead weights weighing less than one half
ounce or lead jigs measuring less than 1 ½” in the following freshwater lakes: Ferry Lake, Swan Lake
and Long Lake (Ferry County), Pierre Lake (Stevens County), Big Meadow Lake, Yocum Lake and
South Skookum Lake (Pend Oreille County), Lost Lake, Blue Lake and Bonaparte Lake (Okanogan
County), Calligan Lake, Hancock Lake (King County), and Lake Hozomeen (Whatcom County).
Explanation: Common loons are currently state listed as a sensitive species with significant
questions as to the species’ population status. Washington has both breeding populations and
wintering populations of common loons. Ingestion of small lead fishing gear has been identified as
one of the major causes of loon mortality in WA. Lead toxicosis from fishing tackle was responsible
for mortalities in 39% of common loon carcasses recovered in Washington from 1996-2008
(Poleschook & Gumm 2008). Over the past few years, an increasing number of manufacturers have
begun offering for sale lead-free sinkers and jigs. This is an incremental step in reducing the
availability of lead to loons and the proposal is restricted to lakes in Washington where we have
documented common loon breeding.

If you plan on fishing these lakes after March of this year, get some non-lead weights/jigs. There is the kicker to this is a complete State ban on small weights and jigs is in the works. So it may be beneficial to start replacing your lead gear now. The automotive tire and wheel industry has already been hit with this as a law has been passed banning the use of lead weights for wheel balancing beginning next year.

Washington State Bans Lead Wheel Weights

On April 28th Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law the first comprehensive ban on the use of lead wheel weights in North America. The legislation, HB 1030, requires the use of lead free wheel weights starting on January 1, 2011. Download the bill. Read about the law in the Spokesman-Review.

There's a long thread with good posts on both sides of this in the Freshwater Fishing section, do a search for it. As far as replacing your lead, not only will you be helping the environment, but tungsten is far superior to lead in every aspect except cost. expect to get bit more and have a way better feel of the bottom, which in turn allows you to pinpoint bottom changes and small structure which of course leads to even more bites. I use tungsten only. I order all my weights in the winter, and it runs me about $40-50 for a year's supply. Sounds like a lot for weights but a few months after you buy them when you actually start using them, you kind of forget how much they cost. Also if you're using tungsten, i recommend a good quality line to maximize feel and of course protect your investment from break offs. i usually flip/pitch with 20lb trilene 100% flouro or seaguar invizX, or in extreme cases such as heavy lily pads i'll go to some 60lb braid.

Even if lead was completely harmless to the environment, i would still recommend switching to tungsten as a good step for anyone wanting to get really serious about bass fishing.

If you are looking to switch...go steel. The same price as lead and no poisoning. Plus they hold up really well if you are bouncing rocks or hard cover. For me, the price for tungsten is outrageous. For a pack of 5- 1/8 oz worm weight is almost $5. For the same $5, you can get 25 steel weights. Ive used only steel for the past 3 years, and dont plan on changing any time soon.

Years ago when we used to fish the Govt Locks for steelies wed lose so many weights that we used large nuts and bolts and spark plugs.In the salt I use nuts (steel) and they work great for bottom fishing and even plunking for steelies.

the problem i have with steel is it is paper light compared to tungsten and your weights are absolutely massive when compared to even lead weights but especially tungsten. hold a 1 oz tungsten weight in your hand and it feels like there is a magnet pulling it to the ground it is so heavy for the size. a one ounce steel weight is way too big to be practical, in my opinion. the size of tungsten is the thing i like best about it, then the feel. also since tungsten is a powder that is compressed into the shape of a weight, the color is infused into the weight so there's no paint chipping either.

steel is a very good alternative to lead though if you don't mind the large weight size and can't get past the price of tungsten.

For the most part i dont use weights over 3/8oz...generally. so size is not that big of an issue with me. weight is weight..no matter the size. The fish dont seem to mind my massive weights...its like a call to them..