Berkley · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
Berkley Trilene Micro Ice Fishing Line
Lower concern; standard nylon line without known treatment
Berkley's monofilament nylon fishing line has no disclosed surface treatments or coatings typical of PFAS-bearing products. No public testing or claims available; standard nylon itself is not inherently PFAS-prone.
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Monofilament nylon fishing line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Berkley Trilene Micro is extruded monofilament nylon, a single-strand polymer widely used in fishing for its strength and low visibility underwater. Nylon monofilament does not leach into water or food because it is an inert thermoplastic polymer not designed to contact skin or ingestion routes for extended periods. The 'Micro' designation refers to line diameter, not chemical composition; this is standard recreational fishing line with no known additives beyond standard UV stabilizers and colorants typical to the category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Berkley (Pure Fishing subsidiary) is a major fishing tackle manufacturer with no public safety recalls or substantiated health controversies tied to monofilament line products. The brand does not publish detailed material safety or PFAS treatment disclosures for fishing line, which is standard industry-wide silence rather than a Berkley-specific red flag. No third-party testing has identified hazardous heavy metals or carcinogens in their monofilament products.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament nylon is the industry baseline for ice fishing line; Berkley Trilene is a mid-market competitor with similar safety profiles to Spiderwire, Suffix, and store-brand alternatives. Fluorocarbon and braided alternatives exist but offer no known toxicological advantage, only different handling and visibility trade-offs. All monofilament fishing lines in this price range share the same material safety profile.
If you buy it
Store spools in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation and brittleness, which can weaken knots rather than create a safety hazard. Inspect line visually for fraying or cloudiness before use; degraded line is a functional failure, not a health risk. Dispose of spent line in trash or proper fishing waste programs rather than discarding in water. Wash hands after handling if you have sensitive skin, though nylon contact dermatitis is rare.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Dye leaching or heavy metals in colorants
Monofilament fishing lines are dyed for visibility, but no published testing or recalls document harmful dye leaching into freshwater or contact toxicity. Standard azo dyes used are not absorbed through skin during normal fishing use.
Microplastic shedding in water
All monofilament lines shed fine particles over time from mechanical abrasion and UV breakdown. This is a documented environmental concern for aquatic ecosystems but not a direct consumer health hazard during normal handling or use.
Ingestion risk (child or pet)
Monofilament fishing line can cause intestinal blockage if swallowed; this is a choking and mechanical injury risk, not a chemical toxicity risk. Proper storage away from children and pets is standard practice for all fishing tackle.
Skin irritation from line abrasion
Nylon monofilament does not contain known skin sensitizers or irritants. Abrasion or line burns from friction are mechanical injuries, not chemical reactions; rare in normal ice fishing use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More fishing line & fishing tackle grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.