Outdoors notes: Fishing tackle controversy

It’s wait-and-see time again with the Environmental Protection Agency.

That federal agency was again petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other groups requesting that the agency regulate the manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes and uses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

If approved, such regulation could result in a de facto ban of lead sinkers, jigs and other popular types of fishing equipment. Nontoxic substitutes for lead are available but are slightly more expensive.

Waiting on ice: I may be way off base, but I don’t believe we will have safe ice fishing conditions by the weekend. “Safe” is a term used loosely in this context and tends to vary by individual. For me, safe ice conditions mean a minimum of 3 inches.

Ÿ Mike Jackson can be reached via email at angler88@comcast.net. His radio program is once again live-streamed on the Internet at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com and can be heard 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.