WATERBURY, VT - It is illegal to use lead fishing sinkers weighting ½ ounce or less in Vermont beginning January 1, 2007, according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Also, effective last January, it became illegal to sell or offer for sale a lead sinker in Vermont.

"Sinker," according to Vermont law, means any device weighing one-half ounce or less that is attached to a fishing line for the purpose of sinking the line, and does not include other lead fishing-related items such as weighted fly line, lead-core fishing line, downrigger cannon balls, weighted flies, lures, spoons, or jig heads.

Vermont's law controlling the use of lead sinkers is intended to help protect wildlife that may ingest the sinkers.

Lead sinkers may be recycled at Vermont's household hazardous waste collection sites.

For more information on sinkers, including contacts for disposing of lead, go to Fish & Wildlife's website at  www.vtfishandwildlife.com.  Under 'Fishing,' click on 'Get the Lead Out.'