Pilot areas for lead-free fishing

The Sportvisunie works together with clubs, water boards, municipalities and tackle shops. We promote pilot areas where you fish lead-free. Below you will find an overview of locations, actions and exchange options.

Madestein , GHV-Groene Hart

Angling club GHV-Groene Hart declared the Madestein lake and its side waters a lead-free fishing area. You fish lead-free here. The area is located next to the clubhouse and helps both novice and experienced anglers gain experience with alternatives. Volunteers and divers cleaned the lakebed at the start and removed litter. More info: https://www.ghvgroenehart.nl

West Boezem , SportVisserijBelangen Delfland

SportVisserijBelangen Delfland tackles lead use in a targeted way. The organization holds lead-free carp and predator fishing competitions. Since 2022 there has been a ban on weights heavier than 50 grams. In cooperation with the Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland, the SVBD designated about 65 ha of the West Boezem as a pilot area. They may expand this area later. There is an exchange campaign for lead alternatives.

Brouwersgat and Bijkersplas , Vinkenbuurt

Sportvisserij Oost-Nederland launched a campaign from 1 July 2020 at the Bijkersplas and the Brouwersgat. You will find information boards here and you can exchange your lead for environmentally friendly alternatives. Partners: the Sportvisunie, Waterschap Drents Overijsselse Delta, angling club De Voorn Nieuwleusen and local shops.

Geertruidenberg , Ons Genoegen

HSV Ons Genoegen declared all its enclosed waters in and around Geertruidenberg lead-free. We encourage about 1,650 members to fish lead-free in moat, inlet pools and retention ponds. The Sportvisunie organized an exchange campaign and installed information boards.

Gendt , HSV De Snoek

HSV De Snoek promotes lead-free fishing in its club waters. The club placed signs at the Canoe Pond and the Swimming Pool. Youth members can exchange old bait cages for free at Hengelsport Huissen. The shop has a wide range of lead alternatives. Waterschap Rivierenland supports this initiative because of water quality.

VISpearls Friesland

The Sportvisunie started the project Sportvisserij op de Kaart in Friesland. Goal: to create a VISpearl in every neighborhood. Trials with lead-free fishing are running at four ponds. Partners: Wetterskip Fryslân, municipalities and local clubs. Activities: events, information campaigns, exchange actions and shop offerings.

• Tolhuispark in Dokkum: https://www.sportvisserij.frl/vis-amp-water/visparels/tolhuispark-dokkum.html
• Camminghaburen in Leeuwarden: https://www.sportvisserij.frl/vis-amp-water/visparels/camminghaburen-leeuwarden.html
• Nijlân in Leeuwarden: https://www.sportvisserij.frl/vis-amp-water/visparels/nijlan-leeuwarden.html
• Pond Troelstrawei in Grou: https://www.sportvisserij.frl/vis-amp-water/visparels/troelstrawei-grou.html

The Roer

The Fishery Management Committee Roerdal promotes lead-free fishing in the Roer. At the project start, permit holders received a free lead alternative. Local shops sell various lead-free weights. Since 2019 day permits require lead-free fishing on some stretches. More info: https://www.sportvisserijlimburg.nl/actueel/10408/project-loodvrij-vissen-op-de-roer.html

Zwaakse Weel

The Zwaakse Weel near Goes is a large nature area with a strong bird population. Natuurmonumenten manages the area. You fish here in the middle of nature. Use lead-free weights at the jetties.

Toms Creek

Toms Creek is a large fishing park in the Flevopolder with trout, carp and adventure ponds. All 200 rental rods have steel casting weights. You can buy environmentally friendly replacements in the shop.

The Eem

The Sportvisunie works with water board Vallei & Veluwe and HSV De Snoekbaars on a pilot along the Eem. We installed signs and organize exchange campaigns at tackle shops. You can trade in your lead there for alternatives.

Vechtstromen

The Sportvisunie started pilots with Waterschap Vechtstromen at the Christinalust pond (Enschede) and Spartelvijver (Sibculo). Both locations have signs and exchange campaigns underway. You can exchange your lead at three locations until December 2022.

Put Middelwaard , HSV De Reiger

HSV De Reiger and Utrechts Landschap decided to keep Put Middelwaard lead-free. Carp anglers can find suitable lead alternatives here. We installed information boards and members received sets of alternatives.

Do you have questions or do you want to start a pilot area with your club? Then contact the Sportvisunie: info@sportvisserijnederland.nl.