On the face of it, recreational fishing seems to be a green activity. After all, you simply sit on the side of the bank or wade into the river and cast a line into the water and wait. Or, in the case of fly fishing, continually cast a line onto the top of the water, hoping to entice a fish. Organic resourcefulness and getting back to Nature, all in one!

However, dig deeper and you’ll discover most of the gear used to fish contains toxic lead and non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, all products that are not good for the environment or wildlife.

That’s changing with the advent of green fishing gear.

Take, for example, the  S.A.F.E. (Sustaining Angling, Fish and Ecosystems) Angling Kits. A tackle box full of lead-free sinkers and lures, biodegradable molded lures and floats, circle hooks and cam-action single hooks, it’s the perfect starter kit to help anglers – new and old – to become a greener fisherman (or woman).

Part of a joint project between the Recycled Fish of Council Bluffs, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, these kits are available statewide through GreenTackle, an environmentally friendly tackle shop.

Green Tackle’s mission is to promote environmentally responsible fishing practices to recreational and sports anglers through education and the sale of eco-friendly fishing products.

Image: Brianmoc