Get the Lead Out

Did you know that the Great Lakes are the biggest freshwater source in the world? Lake Erie is the most productive for fishing of all the Great Lakes. Your support helps make our streams clean, clear and healthy so they can support this complex ecosystem. By donating to PCS, you help us reach our goals of restoring rivers that lead to Lake Erie beaches that promote fishable and swimmable conditions for generations.

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Get the Lead Out (GLO)

Ready, set, GLO! Get the Lead Out (GLO) is designed to remove the discarded fishing lines, lead lures, and marine debris that gets left behind after the spring fishing runs in the Maumee River. Fishing line is made of plastic which doesn't degrade for over 600 years. It can entangle fish and wildlife, detract from the beauty of the river, and hurt people. We provide all the cleanup supplies, safety instructions, and the cleanup site. In a good year, we typically host 6 sessions throughout the summer; though this program is dependent on weather conditions and water levels.

Get the Lead Out is perfect for organizations working for community service hours or groups empowered to have clean clear safe water. This program is recommended for people of all ages but supervision is required for anyone under 13 due to the location and nature of materials being collected (i.e. hooks, entangled line, etc.)

We are proud partners with Berkley Conservation Institute. After our volunteers and staff collect the fishing line, we clean and untangle the line. We then send it to our partners at Berkley Conservation Institute who recycle and repurpose the fishing line into spawning enclosures for fish; enhancing the entire life cycle of our great fisheries in Northwest Ohio. 

GLO 2019 Volunteers2023 marked the 19th year of Get the Lead Out. This year, volunteers were able to remove fishing line from multiple sides of Blue Grass Island thanks to low water levels through the end of August.

Total 2023 Get the Lead Out Impact:
• 5 clean-ups
• 34 volunteers
• 79 pounds of marine debris removed (trash and fishing line)
• 3 river miles covered

Partners for Clean Streams Inc. is striving for abundant open space and a high quality natural environment; adequate floodwater storage capacities and flourishing wildlife; stakeholders who take local ownership in their resources; and rivers, streams and lakes that are clean, clear and safe