Proposed Lead Fishing Tackle Restriction Faces Opposition From Sportfishing Community

While many applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s move toward opening more National Wildlife Refuges to hunting and fishing, some are dismayed by the proposed regulations that may accompany it.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a lead fishing tackle restriction in National Wildlife Refuges, and the sportfishing community is speaking up in opposition.

The new proposal, announced in June, riled the sportfishing community. This week, the American Sportfishing Association, along with 234 cosigners, released a letter addressed to the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Martha Williams. In that letter, they stated their strong opposition due to a lack of evidence.