Something fishy is afoot along waterways in the Upper Delaware River region, where anglers cast their lines and sometimes leave a tangled mass containing sinkers and hooks behind. 

That mass can really mess with the wildlife that chance upon it. It is one of my pet peeves, as I encounter it frequently. You will hear me harping about it in hopes of reducing this harmful and avoidable practice. 

On its website, the New York Department of Conservation (NY DEC) notes that abandoned fishing lures and monofilament line degrade slowly in the environment and can seriously harm wildlife. “Animals may mistakenly ingest, become entangled in, or get accidentally hooked by fishing equipment carelessly left by anglers... be sure to remove any discarded or littered line before leaving your fishing spot, including those that got snagged in tree branches or on submerged vegetation or logs where possible.”

In addition, the NY DEC urges fishing enthusiasts to exercise responsible angling by switching to nontoxic alternatives when choosing fishing gear. 

“Lost sinkers, especially split shot, may be mistaken for food by waterbirds such as ducks, geese, swans, gulls, or loons. Toxic effects of even a single lead sinker can cause birds to sicken and increases the risk of death through predation, exposure, or lead poisoning,” notes the state agency, which has restricted the sale of lead fishing sinkers, including split shot weighing one-half ounce or less, to help protect wildlife.

Please don’t be careless when it comes to fishing. Make it a point to care more about wildlife and their welfare while enjoying your outdoor recreation. And if you encounter evidence of someone else’s carelessness, please remove it carefully and dispose of it properly so that our regional wildlife can continue to thrive.

And for those with an interest in learning fly fishing, mark your calendar for Fly Fishing Basics at the Zane Grey Museum on Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 135 Scenic Dr., Lackawaxen, Pike County, PA. It’s sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and registration begins on Monday, May 19 at www.register-ed.com/events/view/228487. 

Learn more about Pennsylvania and New York fishing basics, regulations, stocking schedules and more at www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat.html and www.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing.