Spring brings better fishing
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3/22/2007 - Spring has sprung and numerous fishing opportunities present themselves. Ice fishing is going to get scary with the warm trend and rainfall in the forecast for the weekend.
There have been reports of fair-to-good catches of yellow perch on Lake Erie, by anglers trekking 1 to 1 1/2 miles offshore from Sturgeon Point. Live minnows on perch spreaders have been the ticket, but conditions are going to get risky.
Lee Weber at Weber's Bait & Tackle (736-2465) reports that anglers can do great at the same area, right after ice out, in a well-equipped boat. Something with some deep sides and enough horsepower to get you off the lake in a hurry when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Bill's Hooks in Dunkirk (366-0268) reports that trout fishing has improved off the Probst Platform over the hot-water discharge area in the Dunkirk harbor. White Power bait is reported to be the hot bait and early morning usually is the time for best results. This area has limited space so fishing with one rod when space gets cramped is suggested. Both brown trout and rainbows have been reported.
As of Wednesday local creeks have also been producing fish from all reports, but continued snow melt and a hard rainfall can quickly change that scenario.
Rick Miller in Irving reports that smaller creeks, like Silver Creek and Walnut Creek, were producing more trout than the Cattaraugus Creek, which was running a tad muddy. Lee Weber in Evans reported that several trout were caught out of Big Sisters Creek.
Lisa Green at Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle (736-5815) reports that as of Wednesday Chautauqua Lake still had lots of safe ice and hungry, smaller-sized pan fish. Since walleye season closed March 15 the fishing pressure has diminished, but anglers continue to hook up with pan fish out of Burtis Bay, white perch out of Maple Springs and Maple Grove, and yellow perch out of Mayville.
Calendar: This Saturday the Red House Chapter of Trout Unlimited will present a trout/steelhead seminar at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club located on Mullet St.in Dunkirk (take Route 5, turn toward the lake at the Country Fair Store). The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature four speakers: Jim Markham from the Dunkirk-based DEC Fisheries Station; Nick Poinessa, expert class fly tier, fly fisherman and guide; Steve Wascher, pro muskie fly fishing guide /fly tier/fly fisherman ;and Alberto Rey, internationally recognized artist and steelhead guide. The event is free and open to the public.
Bear Lake Rod & Gun is having a two-day hunter safety training course starting on Friday from 5-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This course will focus on spring turkey hunting, compliments of instructor Rich Lazarczyk. Pre-register before Friday at Cassadaga Shurfine. For information call 595-3917.
Steak shoot Sunday at Westfield Fish & Game starting at noon. Open to the public. They will also offer a hunter safety training course on Monday, April 2 from 7-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 326-3218 for information.
Ripley Rod & Gun will host a steak and ham shoot April 1 starting at noon.
The Chautauqua Lake chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual fund-raiser banquet at Vullo's Restaurant on April 5 starting at 6 p.m. Call Ed Sanderson at 665-5471 or Budda Haskins at 326-3531 for tickets and information.
Gene Pauszek is an outdoor columnist for the OBSERVER
There have been reports of fair-to-good catches of yellow perch on Lake Erie, by anglers trekking 1 to 1 1/2 miles offshore from Sturgeon Point. Live minnows on perch spreaders have been the ticket, but conditions are going to get risky.
Lee Weber at Weber's Bait & Tackle (736-2465) reports that anglers can do great at the same area, right after ice out, in a well-equipped boat. Something with some deep sides and enough horsepower to get you off the lake in a hurry when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Bill's Hooks in Dunkirk (366-0268) reports that trout fishing has improved off the Probst Platform over the hot-water discharge area in the Dunkirk harbor. White Power bait is reported to be the hot bait and early morning usually is the time for best results. This area has limited space so fishing with one rod when space gets cramped is suggested. Both brown trout and rainbows have been reported.
As of Wednesday local creeks have also been producing fish from all reports, but continued snow melt and a hard rainfall can quickly change that scenario.
Rick Miller in Irving reports that smaller creeks, like Silver Creek and Walnut Creek, were producing more trout than the Cattaraugus Creek, which was running a tad muddy. Lee Weber in Evans reported that several trout were caught out of Big Sisters Creek.
Lisa Green at Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle (736-5815) reports that as of Wednesday Chautauqua Lake still had lots of safe ice and hungry, smaller-sized pan fish. Since walleye season closed March 15 the fishing pressure has diminished, but anglers continue to hook up with pan fish out of Burtis Bay, white perch out of Maple Springs and Maple Grove, and yellow perch out of Mayville.
Calendar: This Saturday the Red House Chapter of Trout Unlimited will present a trout/steelhead seminar at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club located on Mullet St.in Dunkirk (take Route 5, turn toward the lake at the Country Fair Store). The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature four speakers: Jim Markham from the Dunkirk-based DEC Fisheries Station; Nick Poinessa, expert class fly tier, fly fisherman and guide; Steve Wascher, pro muskie fly fishing guide /fly tier/fly fisherman ;and Alberto Rey, internationally recognized artist and steelhead guide. The event is free and open to the public.
Bear Lake Rod & Gun is having a two-day hunter safety training course starting on Friday from 5-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This course will focus on spring turkey hunting, compliments of instructor Rich Lazarczyk. Pre-register before Friday at Cassadaga Shurfine. For information call 595-3917.
Steak shoot Sunday at Westfield Fish & Game starting at noon. Open to the public. They will also offer a hunter safety training course on Monday, April 2 from 7-10 p.m. and returning on Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 326-3218 for information.
Ripley Rod & Gun will host a steak and ham shoot April 1 starting at noon.
The Chautauqua Lake chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual fund-raiser banquet at Vullo's Restaurant on April 5 starting at 6 p.m. Call Ed Sanderson at 665-5471 or Budda Haskins at 326-3531 for tickets and information.
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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