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Weather permitting, fishing looks good

Photo by Gene Pauszek Captain Don Ruppert gave an informative seminar on using copper wire line for walleye trolling at the last Southtowns Walleye Association meeting.

The Memorial Day weekend will soon be upon us, and let’s not forget those who gave their lives so we can continue to enjoy our freedom. Weatherwise, you may have to get your fishing in when you can, but when the situation allows the fishing should be good.

Bass fishing has been stable to very good all along the Lake Erie shoreline, out to and including 30 feet of water. Last Wednesday, I spoke with a Department of Environmental Conservation fisheries employee who was doing a creel census, and found that bass men were also hooking up with walleye, much to their delight.

At the Southtowns Walleye Association meeting held in Hamburg last Thursday, one angler commented that he spoke with several walleye anglers who found fishing for walleye during the daytime very productive in water less than 20 feet deep, using stick baits. The same comment came from the creel census, stating that trolling in 25 feet of water or less off the reef area or the state park, was productive.

Rick Miller in Irving commented that yellow perch fishing has been good off Silver Creek (west) and off the white wall (east). One angler commented that he caught four perch and four walleye in 29 feet of water while targeting perch. Catfish have been caught in Cattaraugus Creek also. There is a catfish contest slated for May 26 sponsored by Snow’s Marina. Stop in for details.

Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut commented that the calico fishing has died down but blue gills are “on fire.” Walleye fishing day and night is stable in 2 feet to 50 feet. Bianco also commented that some of his customers report doing very well with walleye off Lake Erie in 6 to 10 feet of water during the daytime. Keep an eye on the sky and enjoy.

Calendar: If you enjoy taking a ride around the Dunkirk City Pier yearround, or fishing from the pier, be sure to attend the public viewing of the concepts proposed for improvements and enhancements to that area. The concepts will be on display at the Dunkirk High School cafeteria today at 6 p.m. This meeting will be open to the public. Boaters and fishermen are suggested to attend.

The Hanover Fish and Game club, located on Overheiser Road in Forestville, is holding a 100 target Sporting Clay event on May 28. Registration is from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Open to the public. Refreshments available. The Hanover Club will also host this event on the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The Sept. 3 event will be a “Don Mariani” Memorial event. For details or to donate to this special event contact Bill Stelmach at kps@stny.rr.com.

Bear Lake R&G will host a rimfire shoot on May 27. Registration is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Competition is open to the public. For information contact Tom Kessler at 680-0209.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will present its annual Take-A-Kid Fishing event on Saturday, June 2, from 8 a.m. until noon. There is a $10 fee for this event. First time attendees will receive their own rod and reel outfit which they keep. Veterans to this event will receive a grab bag of tackle. All youths will receive a T-shirt. The day’s activities start with fishing from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., then activities and food at the “Con Club.” All youths must be accompanied by a parent or adult. Mandatory registration is available at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club. Questions? Call 366-1772 and leave a phone number, when necessary. Time is running out if you want a T- shirt in proper size.

Cassadaga Lakes Association will host the 25th annual Lew Meade Memorial Youth Fishing tournament on Saturday, June 3 on Cassadaga Lake. This event is open to the public for age groups 7 years old and under, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16 years old. Fishing will be from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Trophies will be presented in each age group and for boys and girls. In addition, first place winners will receive their own kayak. For more information, call Steve Wickmark at 595-2900.

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. Note that classes will switch from Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to Tuesday evenings 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.

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 Street, 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.

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