Do Your Part to Protect Waterbirds and Wildlife
Every year, countless birds, mammals, and aquatic animals are injured or killed by fishing gear left behind. As an angler, you can make a big difference. Angle smartly to avoid snagging gear and take five minutes to clear your gear and keep the ecosystem alive.
How Fishing Gear Injuries Happen
Wildlife often mistake fishing gear for food—or get caught in gear accidentally. Common injuries include:
- Ingesting hooks and lures left in water or attached to live bait on shore
- Entanglement in fishing line and hooks on the ground, in water, or hanging in trees
- Getting hooked on the wing and unable to fly by gear left in trees
These injuries lead to starvation, strangulation, lacerations, and death.
How to Prevent Injuries While Fishing
You don’t have to give up the sport you love to protect wildlife. Be a smart angler and take these few simple steps:
- Avoid casting near trees, logs, and aquatic plants
- Switch to barbless hooks for easier removal and less harm
- Leave no gear behind—do a full sweep of your area before you leave
- Bury hooks in bait to reduce the chance of snagging
- Retrieve snags when possible
What to Do If You See Injured Wildlife
If you spot a bird or animal tangled in fishing line or injured by gear, don’t cut it loose unless you can restrain it safely—it may escape with gear still attached. Call your local wildlife rescue right away because they have the tools and training to help. Make sure to give the animal space, as crowding can cause more stress or injury.
Be an Ecosystem-Conscious Angler
Protecting wildlife is part of being a great angler. Here’s how you can help even more:
- Sponsor a sign or fishing line recycling bin
- Organize or join a local angler cleanup group
- Volunteer at your local wildlife rescue center
- Share this message with friends and family who fish
