OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek DEC Biologist Jason Robinson, left, was presented the Southtowns Walleye Association “Conservationist of the Year Award” on Thursday by Vice President Jim Skoczylas, right, at the State of Lake Erie meeting.

The State of Lake Erie meeting was held at the Southtowns Walleye Association Club on Thursday evening. Helen Domske from Sea Grant was the Master of Ceremonies, and has held that position for 25 years. Domske then introduced the first speaker of the evening, Sea Grant Biologist Jesse M. Lepak, who gave a detailed report on Barotrauma in Lake Erie. Barotrauma is the effect of expansion of a fishes internal organs, when they are brought up from the depths. Lepak touched on why yellow perch and walleye are the only species in Lake Erie that seem to show visible signs of barotrauma, which most anglers will recognize as the “pink balloon” that can be seen coming out of a perch of walleye’s mouth, when caught from 30 feet deep or deeper. In short, the reason this effect is visible in the two most popular species of Lake Erie, is because they lack a pneumatic duct. Internal gases expand inside the fish when they are brought up from 30 feet depths or more and causes the fish to expand to three times their original size. The lecture included possible ways of dealing with the effect.

Next up was a Biologist from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Tom MacDougall, who gave a report on the commercial fishery in Canada. MacDougall was one of the first representatives from north of the border who was able to attend the SofLE presentation in quite awhile. When asked why commercial fishing is more prominent in Canada — where it is legal — than sport fishing, MacDougall replied that one of his senior biologists estimated it had to do with population density. When you consider the population in cities that line the American side of Lake Erie compared with Canada, it becomes a no-brainer. In short, the commercial fishery in Canada is highly regulated, closely monitored, and accounts for the majority share of fish harvested on the Canadian side.

Next up was DEC Biologist Jim Markham, speaking about cold water species. Steelhead trout make up the bulk of trout stocking in Lake Erie. Why? Fishermen are getting more bang for their buck — so to speak — as steelhead return and prosper better than any other species. Lake Erie has the best catch rates per hour of steelhead trout than anywhere else in North America! That figure is lake-wide too, including Canada and three other states. On the down side, brown trout will not be stocked in the lake anymore. Domestic rainbows will take their place, and anglers will see these fish entering the streams earlier, and remaining longer. Lack of brown trout reproduction in the hatcheries, and low return are listed as the reason for brown trout being phased out.

Jason Robinson DEC Warm Water Species biologist wrapped up the seminar with a positive report on Walleye and Yellow Perch. In short, look for great walleye fishing in the next few years, and yellow perch will improve in 2018 and be much better in 2019. The emerald shiner population has everyone guessing, and gobies are feeding a lot of Lake Erie fish. I will expand on the lecture in future articles.

Calendar: The Lake Erie Outdoors fishing show scheduled for Saturday April 21 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. ,will be a good time with 50 vendors scheduled. There are BoGo tickets ($3 entry) printed in the OBSERVER daily. There will also be a huge give-away for those attending including a $500 Outdoors gift card from Wal-Mart, overnight stay at the Clarion, gift certificates, food and more. Hope to see you there!

Southtowns Walleye Association will have its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Bay Rat Lures. Open to the public.

A free drop- off electronics recycling event will take place on April 21 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Park & Ride Lot at SUNY Fredonia. Recycle computers, tube TV’s and monitors, telephones, microwaves, and other small electronics and appliances. Go to Sunnking.com for more.

There will be a free hunter safety course at the Con Club on April 18-19 from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Two day attendance. Call Gary at 366-3397 for information.

On April 14-15, there will be a gun show at Ashtabula County Fair Grounds at the Expo Center Building, located at 127 North Elm St., Jefferson, OH. For more information, contact Larry Spicer at 792-9972 or email LRgunshows@gmail.com.

The Ripley Rod & Gun club will host a ham shoot on Sunday April 22 starting at noon. This event will include archery and cross bow competition (bring your own equipment). Rimfire rifle and pistol (bring own ammo) and shotgun (slugs and shot shells will be provided). Muzzleloaders and scopes will be allowed. Ripley is also having an Air rifle Field target competition on 4/22 with a FREE intro to air rifles at 8:30 a.m. Safety and range briefing at 9:45 a.m. and match shooting at 10 a.m. Four loaner rifles available. Open to ages 8-11 accompanied by a parent. Ages 12-18 are allowed without parent or guardian. Eye protection mandatory for both events and hearing protection for the ham shoot.

The first annual Lake Erie Outdoor & Fishing Show is scheduled for April 21 at the Clarion Hotel Marina & Conference Center from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call 366-3000 ext. 420 or email mpatton@observertoday.com.

Monday night, free fly tying courses at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club are from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tying vises, instruction and materials are all provided free. No registration is necessary. The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club is located on Mullet Street in Dunkirk. Turn towards the lake at the Country Fair store located on Lakeshore Drive West (Route 5).

The Children of the Stream Youth Fly Fishing Program will be starting its 18th year of providing weekly free fly tying and fly fishing classes to both youths and adults in our area. Classes are Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Costello Community Room (P84) in the new addition to the Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia. You do not need any prior experience to attend these classes, and the course is geared towards ages 10 and older. For more information, contact Alberto Rey at 410-7003 or alberto@albertorey.com.

The Great Lakes Experience Festival in Dunkirk will return this year on June 9 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event will once again be held in Memorial Park. More details at a later date.

There will be a fundraiser on April 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the Southtowns Walleye Association Club located at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, to benefit the New York State Conservation Council. A lunch will be served and a number of raffles and silent auctions will take place to generate income for this worthwhile cause. For tickets ($20) contact Dan at 655-0975 .

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or any other outdoors event, and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second St., Dunkirk, NY 14048, or call the sports department at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 6 p.m.

Note: If you have a big-game fishing or trapping success story you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 467-2079 and leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached. You can also call 366-3000, ext. 5, after 6 p.m. or email Sports@observertoday.com.