The “weight” is over. Get the Lead Out is back and better than ever! Join us by removing derelict fishing gear from the Maumee River post walleye run. We have over 3 miles of the Maumee River between Perrysburg and Maumee to cover removing fishing line, lead, lures and hooks that have been left behind from the anglers during the walleye run this spring. Just last year, PCS volunteers collected 173 pounds of lead sinkers from this 3 miles stretch of the river shattering previous records. This event made local and international news last year for its unusual impact on the environment and public engagement.
During Get the Lead Out, groups or individuals go out into the Maumee River starting early June (water level depending) and continuing until mid August. Everyone is welcome! Bring friends, family, kids, significant others, co-workers, cousins, aunts, uncles and neighbors. Plan to walk in the Maumee River and along its banks, sometimes over logs, through tall grasses and over rocks collecting lead and line that has gotten snagged on rocks, branches and in grass. PCS is planning for multiple large group, staff organized outings in June and July. These events are open to everyone, all experience levels welcome. Stay tuned for more details.
But what happens after we collect the lead and line? It gets recycled, of course! All the lead will be reused by ZAP Lures while the fishing line is recycled with Berkley Fishing and Bass Pro Shops. If you independently collect fishing line or lead and would like it to be recycled, we are happy to process and recycle it for you.
To sign your group up for Get the Lead Out, register with Ava at [email protected] or by calling 419-874-0727. All volunteers are required to fill out a liability form to participate. Liability forms can be found on our Get the Lead Out! page or by clicking here. Check out the informational poster here!
We’ve gotten hooked on Get the Lead Out, have you?