‘Heart-wrenching’ fishing line issues spark awareness campaign

As fishing and boating season begins, the Forest Preserve District is urging all anglers to properly dispose of fishing line waste that can strangle, injure and kill wildlife.

Preserve visitors are also encouraged to pitch in by helping clean up fishing line, hooks and other trash that can harm birds and other wildlife.

As part of the campaign, the District’s Fishing for Trash programs — normally held for a few weeks during the fishing season — will be extended to season-long efforts at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook, and Monee Reservoir in Monee Township. The programs are underway and will run through October.

“This program came out of a need,” said Angie Opiola, facility supervisor at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. “Staff, volunteers, visitors all have seen firsthand what discarded fishing line does to wildlife, and it is honestly heart wrenching. Birds tethered to trees, geese with several feet of line trailing behind from their mouths. Animals without any feet. Nests made with more fishing line than natural material. I could go on and on.”

Opiola said she hopes the program extension will increase awareness of the risks improperly discarded fishing line poses to wildlife.

“Whether you are an angler or not, you can do something about the line. If you see it — grab it! And feel like a hero, because you literally are saving an animal's life.”

The Fishing for Trash program encourages visitors to pick up debris, including fishing line and hooks. Stop by the Tackle Box at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm or the Monee Reservoir Visitor Center to pick up gloves and a bag, and return the bag for a treat. Check the website for concession hours.

Updated recycling tubes

The campaign follows the installation of new monofilament recycling tubes in 2025 at Forest Preserve fishing locations.

The bins are sturdier, less prone to vandalism and better suited to collect fishing line for proper recycling. The updated containers feature modified openings and internal flaps to deter misuse.

The bins were redesigned to make it more difficult to insert cans, bottles, diapers and other refuse. Locations were also reevaluated for need and accessibility.

Fishing line collected in the containers is shipped to Berkley Conservation Institute in Iowa, where it is melted down and repurposed into products such as fish cribs, spools and tackle boxes.

Throughout the year, volunteers empty the monofilament containers monthly and submit the material to the nearest Forest Preserve visitor centers, which then send it to Berkley.

Since 1990, more than 9 million miles of line have been recycled by Berkley. Fishing line that is not properly disposed of can last up to 600 years in the environment.

Documented injuries, deaths

The Forest Preserve will also launch a social media campaign to educate anglers and visitors about the dangers of discarded monofilament, or fishing line, in the ecosystem.

The District has documented many cases of wildlife harmed by monofilament left in the environment.

A pelican had to be euthanized after becoming tangled in fishing line at McKinley Woods. A dead egret was found hanging from a tree at Lake Renwick, and a great blue heron died at Rock Run Rookery after being ensnared in fishing line in a tree.

Two emaciated Canada geese were rescued and treated for leg and foot injuries and infections after being found with fishing line wrapped around their legs at Whalon Lake. A robin suffocated after becoming entangled in fishing line and hung from a tree at Isle a la Cache.

Angler tips

Here are some tips from Berkley, which runs the monofilament recycling center in Iowa:

• Recycling bins: Use marked PVC collection bins at boat ramps, piers and fishing access points.
• Safe trash disposal: If you cannot recycle the line, cut it into small pieces (less than 6 inches) and place it in a sealed container or bag before putting it in the trash.
• Line types: Only monofilament and fluorocarbon line can be recycled. Braided line must be cut up and placed in the trash.
• Remove tackle: Ensure all hooks, sinkers and swivels are removed from the line before recycling it.
• Storage: Use a resealable plastic bag to store old line in your tackle box until you can recycle it.