Photo by Forrest Fisher The Bison City Rod and Gun Club floating fish pens were used as an initial model to develop the pens for Dunkirk Harbor. The tiny fingerling trout need to be fed on a schedule, multiple times each day, and this can involve the entire community. Steelhead grow to larger sizes very quickly in Lake Erie.

A dedicated group of local conservationists is making positive waves in Dunkirk Harbor, all with the goal of bringing more steelhead back to local waters for years to come.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, located along the shores of Lake Erie in Dunkirk Harbor, has organized an ambitious project to assemble and install a floating fish pen that will help steelhead fingerlings “scent imprint” to the harbor each spring, making them believe they were born here and must return each spring. Under the leadership of Chairman Paul Soper, the club and the project team have worked closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fisheries team to bring the project to life.

With strict guidance and direction from DEC fisheries biologists, plans and materials were specified months ago to ensure the pen meets all the necessary requirements. The project team procured steel piping, flotation materials, netting, and other essential components. Construction of the pen — measuring 20 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5 feet deep — is now nearly complete.

Soper said, “Plans are for the floating pen to be installed near A-Dock at the Dunkirk Marina this spring, following coordination and support from marina representative Peter Smith.”

For several weeks, steelhead fingerlings provided through NYSDEC will be placed inside the pen and fed three to five times per day. During this critical period, the young fish will scent-imprint on Dunkirk Harbor.

This imprinting process increases the likelihood that the steelhead will return to these same waters as adults, creating expanded fishing (and learning) opportunities for the entire community.

The project represents a true grassroots conservation effort. Funding has come entirely through voluntary donations from generous individuals, local businesses and community organizations that recognize the long-term value of strengthening Dunkirk’s fishery resources. Once operational, the pen will be installed and removed each spring as part of an ongoing commitment to enhance the local steelhead fishery.

“This is about investing in the future of our harbor,” Soper said. “If these fish return as adults, the entire community benefits — from anglers and families to local businesses that rely on outdoor recreation.”

While construction is nearly complete, the project still requires continued financial support to cover remaining expenses and future seasonal operations. Community members who would like to contribute are encouraged to send donations to: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club – Trout Pen Trout Project, PO Box 178, Dunkirk, NY, 14048. Those with questions or who would like additional information about the project may contact Soper at the club.

With strong partnerships, dedicated volunteers, and continued community backing, Dunkirk Harbor’s newest conservation effort promises to make a lasting impact — ensuring that future generations can enjoy the thrill of steelhead fishing right here at home, from the city pier.