Secure garbage cans. Keep pet food out of reach of scavengers. Water Pollution Lake water quality is affected by shoreline development, agricultural runoff, logging activities, sewage, and atmospheric pollution. Loons must see underwater to fish. If lakes become cloudy or choked with vegetation as a result of excessive nutrient runoff, loons may no longer be able to fish.
Acidified lakes are unable to support fish.
In some of these lakes loons attempt to raise their young, but cannot find enough food for them. The young may survive for a few weeks, sustained by a diet of aquatic insects, but without fish they eventually weaken and die. Support legislation to protect wetlands, control acid rain-producing pollution, and regulate the use of agricultural chemicals. Contact NALF or your state's NALF Affiliate for more information on what you can do to protect loons. As a member of NALF, you can contribute directly to efforts to educate the public about the importance of protecting loons and their habitat.