MARQUETTE — A local loon advocacy group wants the fishing public to know that discarded fishing line may ultimately contribute to the death of a loon.

“In the last year, we have seen a major increase in the number of reports of loons entangled in discarded fishing lines,” said Melissa Jorgensen, in the spring newsletter of the Michigan Loon Preservation Association.

Jorgensen, state coordinator of the group, noted, “There are many ways that loons may come in contact with fishing line and become tangled, including consuming a fish that has broken an angler’s line and is trailing that line, striking at an angler’s line after mistaking the glint of tackle or the motion of the line being reeled in for a fish, trying to catch a fish that is on an angler’s line, or encountering discarded line floating on the lake.”

Because they use their bills to clean themselves, loons that encounter fishing line often end up with the line wrapped around their bills, and the more they try to free themselves, the more tangled they become.

With line around their bills, it is difficult for loons to eat and keep themselves waterproofed.

If you see a tangled loon, please report it to the Michigan Loon Preservation Association immediately. Call 989-442-6263 or email savemichiganloons@gmail.com or arloon43@gmail.com

It is important to note that when reporting a tangled loon, you need to confirm that you see fishing line, as frequently a loon’s normal behavior may appear like the loon is tangled when it is not.

Recognizing loons that are not in distress is important. Loons frequently perform actions that maintain the waterproofing and general condition of their feathers.

If you have never seen them before, these behaviors can make it seem like the loon you are watching is tangled or stuck on something.

Videos can help to determine whether the loon you are watching is in distress or performing a normal behavior. Watch videos on YouTube by searching for “common loon preening” and “common loon bathing.”

The Michigan Loon Preservation Association is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

More information is available at https://www.michiganloons.org