Lead commonly found in fishing tackle is highly toxic, and hazardous to humans, wildlife and the environment. Wildlife species are affected by ingesting lead fishing tackle, particularly the common loon. Loon bodies and behavior make them susceptible to lead poisoning.
Fortunately, non-toxic alternatives to lead tackle are available and are often superior in performance to lead tackle. You can help by changing to lead free fishing tackle today! At our Tackle Exchanges, you can swap your lead tackle for new non-toxic tackle for free! The tackle exchanges will be held this fall and next year at various Waldo County lakes, usually at the boat launch. Join us tomorrow, October 25th, for our first exchange at the Unity Pond Boat Launch from 6 to 9am. Free fishing kits for children will be available first come, first served. A bass fishing tournament will also be taking place, so come and join the fun.
The program isn’t necessarily a one-for-one exchange, but there will be a great variety of non-toxic tackle to try, and no one will go home empty-handed! What better time than right now to clean out your tackle box, making fishing safer for you, your children, and Maine’s wildlife? Contact our District office to learn more about the program.
Join us for a talk from a Maine farmer transitioning from beef and dairy to hemp farming and value-added products such as CBD oil and fiber. Sue Hunter will take us through her first year in converting her farm to organic hemp production. Other hemp growing experts will add to our discussion. The talk will follow an Annual Dinner offered by Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District. 
Check out photos and videos of our work this summer at 
If you own a shoreline property or are interested in water quality and healthy lakes, join Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for a series on caring for our local lakes. Lakes and large ponds in Waldo County support shoreline camps and residences, recreational boating and fishing and other activities. These activities also have the potential to create challenges in maintaining water quality. Sediment and nutrient increases can create potential for algal blooms and other problems which can impact fish and wildlife, water clarity, recreation, lake aesthetics, property values and human health. The free series will be on Friday evenings in June and July in the Swan Lake watershed and held at the Kermit S Nickerson School in Swanville and North Searsport United Methodist Church, Searsport from 3:30pm to 5pm. Save the dates!