I heard new Hampshire has gone to a no lead lures or terminal tackle less than one ounce! Any truth to that?

Yes Frank this is true. As a matter of fact when you renew your fishing license it comes with a small book stating this fact. Here is a link to the New Hampshire site with details about it. New Hampshire No lead Article

And after doing some research it seems other states are jumping in on this one too, such as Mass.

Here's some details from the article

State law prohibits the use of lead sinkers and jigs in all fresh water in New Hampshire, including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The ban prohibits the use of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis.

The law also prohibits the sale in New Hampshire of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis.

What you can do:

Use non-lead sinkers and jigs. It's the law.

Ask your local sporting goods store to stock non-lead fishing tackle. It's the law.

Spread the word. Tell other anglers about the problem with lead.

Dispose of old lead sinkers and jigs properly. Drop-off locationsinclude all N.H. Fish and Game offices and hatcheries (see list below).

This whole topic is so controversial... Does anyone even have some real solid statistics to justify the reason why these bans are taking place? There's a lot of state money (and probably some federal $$$ too) being spent on these bans, is there any validity to these claims, or is this an "over reaction" to a minor issue?

Just to be clear on my position, I am not saying I am for or against. I am simply inquiring if there is "really" a problem, and if so, how great of a problem is it?

Love to hear some other people's thoughts on this one.

Ok here we go. Going to start alot of controversy as Brendan said.

I have to add my two cents in on this one.
Now all of a sudden lead jigs and spinner baits are a problem too. Let’s think who would benefit from a ban of all lead? Who is tied to the manufacturer that is going to mass produce all the new tackle probably at triple the cost of terminal tackle today? Somebody or some company is going to get real rich and quick. They know that fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry. If the pressure is put on to the fisherman he is going to have to purchase all new tackle. So now it’s not only sinkers and weights but jigs, Spinnerbaits ect… When was the last time you saw a bass running around with a jig still in its mouth. If the concern was that the fish eats the lead and the bird eats the fish I want to see the picture were the jig or spinner bait is in the fish for a time where it affects the blood stream of the fish. Not only that show pictures and studies where there is scientific proof it is caused by jigs and spinner baits. Funny thing is meanwhile all the runoff from roads ect….. is going into all lakes and ponds. Show proof that using a jig head or spinner bait is more harmful then run off from the roads going into the water. Or just show me numbers (scientific proof it affects the water even one percent. What’s next, no driving within half a mile of a lake or pond? You will have hand launch your boat from half a mile away. Something seems real fishy about this entire new law in these states. Are we as fisherman really causing that much damage to the environment? Show me numbers with proof!!!! Show me proof that it’s not some politician or company pushing this to get rich behind the scenes. As usual go after the little guys. The little enjoyment we find to cope with hard economical times is going to cost us all probably three fold more. It’s funny you have factories and all kinds of industry on all river systems and all the fisherman in a life time would not equal the pollution they put into the river in one day. Oh, that’s right they can pay a minimal fine and continue to do what they do. Meanwhile every fisherman is going to scramble to see what to use to fish. Watch out next month it is going to be self dissolving line. Thanks guys for going after the one thing millions of people love doing…..Fishing
Are we as fisherman really that bad? That is the question. Show us 100 percent proof that environmental changes are caused by solely using spinner baits and jig heads. Show us proof that banning us from lead jig heads and Spinnerbaits is going to impact the whole ecosystem.

The last question I have is: What effect will all of these new products going to have?

I just can’t believe that there is proof (scientific) that fisherman using jigs and Spinnerbaits have caused our waters to be unsafe.
That’s my Mondays thoughts. Thanks all for being an ear……..

I checked with the folks at the DEC and the reasoning behind the bands is Birds! Waterfowl picking up lead shot as grit to help with digestion. They ended up dying of lead poisoning. Now, I can understand that on a shallow marsh where lead shot was used for 60 years. But a lake? Anti hunting shows itself in many ways. Soon there will be government programs for ducks that can't fly all the way south for the winter because they are too fat from eating hand out bread!!

Thanks Frank.

When is the last time you saw a bird eat a jig or spinner bait and digest it? Such a crock of bull (not you). Good one on the ducks. No one says anything about the poop these birds (especially our Canadian geese or now long island Geese) leave that can be very hazardous to my kid’s health when we fish the shoreline. If my kids ingest the poop that goes on their shoes I am sure it is far worse than the same bird trying to eat the jig I lost 10 feet under the water. I walk the shore line and I see with no exaggeration 100’s of bird droppings. That same walk I do not see one jig or spinner bait.

This has been an on going battle for years. It's all a manufactured hype. You would have to get involved with you state reps. And find out what is actually going on. A ban would decimate small buisiness owners that depend on the fishing industry.Not to mention the loss of income from fishing license that won't be bought.

Great points!!!!!!! Get the lead out is supposed to mean you are listening to Led Zeppelin!!!!!!!!!