An Act To Protect Maine's Loons by Banning Lead Sinkers and Jigs
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0730
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: HASKELL, SHAW, CLEVELAND, JACKSON, BLACK, CRAFTS, DAVIS, ESPLING, JONES, WOOD
Amends: 12 MRSA §12663-A, 12 MRSA §12664

Legislative Document 
No. 730 
S.P. 268 
In Senate, February 28, 2013 
An Act To Protect Maine's Loons by Banning Lead Sinkers and Jigs 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator HASKELL of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative SHAW of Standish and 
Senators: CLEVELAND of Androscoggin, JACKSON of Aroostook, Representatives: BLACK 
of Wilton, CRAFTS of Lisbon, DAVIS of Sangerville, ESPLING of New Gloucester, JONES 
of Freedom, WOOD of Sabattus. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §12663-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §288 and 
affected by §422, is amended to read: 
§12663-A.  Unlawful sale of lead sinkers and jigs 
1.  Sale of lead sinker or jig.  A person may not sell a lead sinker or jig for fishing 
that contains any lead and weighs 1/2 one ounce or less or measures 2 1/2 inches or less 
in length. 
A.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine 
of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
B.  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period 
commits a Class E crime. 
2.  Offer lead sinker or jig for sale.  A person may not offer for sale a lead sinker or 
jig for fishing that contains any lead and weighs 1/2 one ounce or less or measures 2 1/2 
inches or less in length. 
A.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine 
of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
B.  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period 
commits a Class E crime. 
3.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this section, "sinker" means a device that is 
designed to be attached to a fishing line and intended to sink the line.  "Sinker" does not 
include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads.  For the purposes of this 
section, "jig" means a weighted hook and does not include lead fishing-related items, 
including but not limited to fishing line, flies, lures or spoons. 
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §12664 is enacted to read: 
§12664.  Unlawful use of lead sinkers and jigs 
1.  Unlawful use.  A person may not use a lead sinker or jig for fishing that contains 
any lead and weighs one ounce or less or measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length. 
A.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine 
of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
B.  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period 
commits a Class E crime. 
2.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this section, "sinker" means a device that is 
designed to be attached to a fishing line and intended to sink the line.  "Sinker" does not 
include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads.  For the purposes of this 
section, "jig" means a weighted hook and does not include lead fishing-related items, 
including but not limited to fishing line, flies, lures or spoons. 
SUMMARY 
This bill makes it illegal to sell or use lead sinkers and jigs weighing one ounce or 
less and measuring 2 1/2 inches or less in length.