Officials at Northland College want to get the lead out -- of the environment.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources is trying to help out.

The DNR has been assisting the Ashland, Wis., college's Loon Watch by helping supply fishing organizations with "environmentally friendly" non-lead tackle.

"They are trying to get the lead out of fishing," said Theresa Stabo, aquatic resources educator for the DNR. "We've switched out from lead sinkers to non-lead sinkers."

Stabo was on hand at the Yahara Fishing Club's annual Kids Free Fishing Day on June 7 at Willow Island at the Alliant Center in Madison. Stabo dropped off some sample packs of non-lead tackle for organizers to distribute.

The tackle, according to Loon Watch, is meant to "help prevent lead poisoning of loons, eagles and other wildlife." The tackle packets included tungsten/plastic "click-on" weights by Dr. Drop; a bismuth/tin "Nature jig" from Northland Fishing Tackle; a tin split shot by Lindquist Lures; and a tungsten/plastic "Safe sink" worm weight by Flambeau, Inc.

"It's an opportunity for kids to use them rather than lead," said Stabo, who praised the Madison fishing club's efforts -- with the assistance of lead sponsors Wal-Mart, Oscar Meyer and D&S Bait, Tackle and Archery among others -- with introducing children to the sport.

Parties interested in acquiring samples -- Stabo said they aren't currently targeted for individual purchase -- or learning more about them, can contact Loon Watch at www.northland.edu/loonwatch or contact Stabo at Theresa.Stabo@dnr.state.wi.us or 608-266-2272.

Saturday's fishing event -- taking advantage of the state's Free Fishing Weekend activities -- included a giveaway of rods and tackle boxes to more than 300 kids. Including adults, attendence was more than twice that number.

"They're experts at this. They've been doing this for so long," Stabo said of the local club, which has produced the event in various capacities since 1986.

"Getting people connected to our resources is so important. The DNR can't be alone in that," said Stabo, who can also assist people in borrowing fishing equipment from the state agency. "Everyone has a vested interest in the health of our natural resources and everyone needs to take some kind of role in it."