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OUTDOORS NOTES Get the lead out at area tackle exchanges Outdoors Editor The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the DNR again are partnering with retailers and others to offer 20 lead tackle exchanges across the state this summer, including in Aitkin, Hackensack and Baxter.
The annual exchange events offer anglers a chance to try the growing variety of lead-free fishing tackle.
Anglers can help keep toxic lead out of our environment by bringing lead-containing sinkers, jigs and other weights to tackle exchange events. Depending on what anglers turn in, lead tackle is swapped for non-lead jigs, split shots, walking sinkers, bullet/worm slip sinkers and bell swivel weights in various sizes and colors. Lead-free tackle is made of tin, bismuth, tungsten and steel. There is no charge to exchange tackle.
Area exchanges are scheduled at 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 14 at Rippleside Elementary School, 225 Second Ave. S.W., Aitkin (during the Rivers and Lakes Fair); 1-6 p.m. July 19 at Swanson's Bait and Tackle, 333 N. First St., Hackensack; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 2 at Gander Mountain, 14275 Edgewood Drive, Baxter.
Visit www.pca.state.mn.us/ sinkers for more information about lead-free tackle and complete details on the exchange events.
Fire restrictions lifted in area counties
The DNR will remove fire restrictions on open burning permits in Carlton, Becker, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Clearwater, Itasca, the southern half of Beltrami and the remainder of Cass County.
Forestry officials and fire wardens started issuing permits at 8 a.m. May 28.
Restrictions were lifted for Aitkin, Crow Wing, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope and the area south of the Chippewa National Forest of Cass County on May 21. Ottertail and Wadena county restrictions were lifted on May 23.
Other northern Minnesota counties that remain under open burning restrictions including Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, the northern half of Beltrami, Marshall, Pennington, Koochiching, St Louis, Lake and Cook. Restrictions will be lifted as rainfall and wildfire conditions warrant.
A map of fire restriction areas is available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ forestry/fire.
Take-a-Kid Fishing weekend scheduled
Minnesotans who want to catch some quality family time are encouraged to take advantage of Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend June 6-8. Minnesota residents 18 and older can fish for free during these days when they accompany an angler younger than 16.
To find places to fish, go to mndnr.gov/takemefishing on the DNR Web site. Click on the link to Lake Finder for all sorts of inside information. Or visit exploreminnesota.com to find places to stay, play and fish. Or visit the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Web site at mn.takemefishing.org for great tips to help make the trip a success.
The first week of June also is National Fishing and Boating Week. Boating information, fishing tactics, tips on equipment and safety, advice and stories from pro anglers is available online at www.rbff.org.
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