Cold is good for ice fishermen
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2/1/2007 - Ice and ice fishing are in the forecast for the weekend, especially after the cold weather prediction for Sunday.
Locally the streams are iced over, especially near the lake. Heading up south of Route 20 you might find an open spot but most of the water has firmed up.
Cattaraugus Creek, with it’s larger volume of water, will stay open longer, especially near Gowanda, where the deeper pools are, but an extended cold spell will soon change that too.
Lisa Green at Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle in Ashville, reports that there have been only a few anglers trying their luck on Chautauqua Lake as of Wednesday. The ice cover was only about 3-4 inches before all the snow fell. Deep snow tends to push the ice down and insulate existing ice, making for unsure ice conditions. Waiting for some extended cold weather will probably firm up the scenario.
Andy at Big Catch Bait reports there are good reports coming from Lake Simcoe. He had reports that ice huts are now in place a mile offshore and anglers have been finding some good catches of yellow perch. Michigan Wigglers, a larvae, have been a good perch bait at Simcoe according to Big Catch (877-0971), as well as minnows, spikes and mousies.
Lee Weber in Evans (549-3426) reports anglers have been doing well at Silver Lake. Bluegills and assorted panfish have been co-operating.
The Buffalo Small Boat Harbor has firmed up but anglers are still reporting a few soft spots occasionally. This area has lots of action, albeit small, with grass perch being the main species.
Bill’s Hooks in Dunkirk (366-0268) reports the Dunkirk harbor at the warm-water fishing platform still produces a few trout, with browns currently being the target species. Look for this area to become hot as the temperature continues to drop.
Boat U.S. reports news on the closure of the land-based, low-frequency radio system used by mariners for decades, the LORAN system. The Department of Homeland Security, a parent agency to the U.S. Coast Guard, zeroed out any funding for the continuation of LORAN in the FY07 budget, but Congress voted to put money back in the system for one more year.
The Coast Guard is requesting public comment until Feb. 7, after which they will form their evaluation. Recreational boaters can e-mail comments to http://dms.dot.gov/, clicking on “comment/submissions” and using Coast Guard docket number USCG-2006-24685. Elaine Dickinson, the head of Boat U.S. Govt. Affairs, commented that the popular GPS signal is relatively weak and there is concern that it may be susceptible to jamming, which could pose national security problems if it becomes the sole navigation system for the U.S.
However, LORAN reportedly is virtually jam proof. A strong case can be made for keeping LORAN as a relatively low-cost, ground-based backup to satellite-based GPS. Dickinson further added. ”Shutting down the LORAN system doesn’t make sense.” She further noted that the Coast Guard just spent $160 million to modernize and largely automate the LORAN system. Thousands of mariners and aircraft pilots still use LORAN receivers. For more information on Boat U.S. call (800) 395-2628 or visit http://www.boatus.com./
Calendar: The Chautauqua County Sports Fishery Advisory Board will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville. Agenda: election of officers, county fishing and hunting maps proposals and discussion on the upcoming kids essay contest. Open to the public.
On Sunday the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will have its annual elections. Doors close at 1 p.m. sharp. Members only.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, the “Con Club” will host its annual sportsmen party, awarding prizes for those entered in the fishing and hunting contests. Starts at 5 p.m.
Gene Pauszek is an outdoor columnist for the OBSERVER.
Locally the streams are iced over, especially near the lake. Heading up south of Route 20 you might find an open spot but most of the water has firmed up.
Cattaraugus Creek, with it’s larger volume of water, will stay open longer, especially near Gowanda, where the deeper pools are, but an extended cold spell will soon change that too.
Lisa Green at Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle in Ashville, reports that there have been only a few anglers trying their luck on Chautauqua Lake as of Wednesday. The ice cover was only about 3-4 inches before all the snow fell. Deep snow tends to push the ice down and insulate existing ice, making for unsure ice conditions. Waiting for some extended cold weather will probably firm up the scenario.
Andy at Big Catch Bait reports there are good reports coming from Lake Simcoe. He had reports that ice huts are now in place a mile offshore and anglers have been finding some good catches of yellow perch. Michigan Wigglers, a larvae, have been a good perch bait at Simcoe according to Big Catch (877-0971), as well as minnows, spikes and mousies.
Lee Weber in Evans (549-3426) reports anglers have been doing well at Silver Lake. Bluegills and assorted panfish have been co-operating.
The Buffalo Small Boat Harbor has firmed up but anglers are still reporting a few soft spots occasionally. This area has lots of action, albeit small, with grass perch being the main species.
Bill’s Hooks in Dunkirk (366-0268) reports the Dunkirk harbor at the warm-water fishing platform still produces a few trout, with browns currently being the target species. Look for this area to become hot as the temperature continues to drop.
Boat U.S. reports news on the closure of the land-based, low-frequency radio system used by mariners for decades, the LORAN system. The Department of Homeland Security, a parent agency to the U.S. Coast Guard, zeroed out any funding for the continuation of LORAN in the FY07 budget, but Congress voted to put money back in the system for one more year.
The Coast Guard is requesting public comment until Feb. 7, after which they will form their evaluation. Recreational boaters can e-mail comments to http://dms.dot.gov/, clicking on “comment/submissions” and using Coast Guard docket number USCG-2006-24685. Elaine Dickinson, the head of Boat U.S. Govt. Affairs, commented that the popular GPS signal is relatively weak and there is concern that it may be susceptible to jamming, which could pose national security problems if it becomes the sole navigation system for the U.S.
However, LORAN reportedly is virtually jam proof. A strong case can be made for keeping LORAN as a relatively low-cost, ground-based backup to satellite-based GPS. Dickinson further added. ”Shutting down the LORAN system doesn’t make sense.” She further noted that the Coast Guard just spent $160 million to modernize and largely automate the LORAN system. Thousands of mariners and aircraft pilots still use LORAN receivers. For more information on Boat U.S. call (800) 395-2628 or visit http://www.boatus.com./
Calendar: The Chautauqua County Sports Fishery Advisory Board will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville. Agenda: election of officers, county fishing and hunting maps proposals and discussion on the upcoming kids essay contest. Open to the public.
On Sunday the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will have its annual elections. Doors close at 1 p.m. sharp. Members only.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, the “Con Club” will host its annual sportsmen party, awarding prizes for those entered in the fishing and hunting contests. Starts at 5 p.m.
Gene Pauszek is an outdoor columnist for the OBSERVER.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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