This funding opportunity provides retail establishments a rebate on purchases of lead-free tackle for sale to consumers/the public.
Check out the online list of manufacturers and retailers of lead-free tackle for product ideas and suppliers, but you can find your own sources.
Applications for this round of funding are accepted on a rolling basis, no later than March 31, 2027.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include owners or operators of brick-and-mortar retail establishments located in Minnesota that sell fishing bait and tackle. Must be for-profit businesses with 100 full-time equivalent employees or less (including parent companies and all business operations). Franchise owners or operators are eligible if they meet the criteria.
Available funds
Total dedicated funds: $50,000 (as of April 2026, there are still funds available and plans to increase the budget)
This rebate program provides a 45% rebate on purchases of lead-free tackle. The maximum award is $3,000 total per retail establishment.
How to apply
Applications will be accepted on a rolling, "first come, first served" basis until all dedicated funds ($50,000) have been dispersed or March 31, 2027 (4 p.m. Central Time), whichever occurs first.
More information
See how lead-free fishing tackle helps loons and other Minnesota wildlife while also improving anglers' chances for landing that big fish.
Previous grantees. . As of April 2026, Get the Lead Out has distributed nearly $55,400 to 21 stores in Minnesota. This includes the previous (April 2022-June 2024) and current (Sept. 2024 to present) round of this rebate grant.
- Arrowhead Outdoors (Ely)
- Don's I-94 Convenience Store (Albany)
- Fred's Live Bait and Tackle (Deer River)
- Full Stringer Bait and Tackle (Longville)
- Jerry's One Stop (Longville)
- Marine General (Duluth)
- Marv’s True Value (Princeton)
- Mel's Sports Shop (Spicer)
- Northwoods Bait and Tackle (Bemidji)
- Oars-N-Mine (Crosby)
- Palisade One Stop (Palisade)
- Prince Bait and Marine (Milaca)
- River Rat Trading Post (Cohasset)
- Rush Point Store (Stanchfield)
- Sand Dunes Bait and Tackle (Big Lake)
- Side Lake Store (Side Lake)
- Speedway Cold Spring (Cold Spring)
- Stoplight Bait, Tackle and Guns (St. Cloud)
- Timberline Sports (Blackduck)
- Tutt's Bait and Tackle (Garrison)
- Winnie Trading Post (Deer River)