Photo by Gene Pauszek Not a lot of activity at any of the Southtowns Walleye weigh stations during stormy weather.

There has been no shortage of “walleye chop” on Lake Erie during the last week of the Southtowns Walleye Association’s 34th annual tournament. It has been pretty slow at the weigh stations too.

The latest update reveals that an 11 pounder is in the lead of this nine-day event, so there is still a lot of time to get on the leaderboard, if you are registered in this year’s event. Anglers reported catching a lot of fish on Saturday and Sunday, but finding the elusive 26 inch length minimum walleye is the challenge. Bigger is better if you are looking for prize money.

Monday saw a strong northeast wind turning over the water column, and changing the fishing pattern for a lot of anglers. Wednesday kept most of the smaller boats on shore so today will also be another challenge. Tournament time is secret time, but most of the anglers report that using stick baits seem to be productive for larger fish.

Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut reports that Chautauqua Lake was sprayed with an herbicide recently. On the east side, the area north of Midway Park to the Stow Ferry received treatment and on the West side Cheneys Point to Burtis Bay was sprayed. Anglers are advised NOT to eat fish caught from these areas for a few days.

Walleye fishing on Chautauqua Lake remains good with anglers using bottom bouncers and smaller sized 3-D worm harnesses to lure fish from 9 to 40 feet deep. Bluegills are active and bass catching should pick up after the storm. Musky fishing has been slow but Captain Larry Jones has been doing well with his “Mostly Muskies” charter service.

Locally, yellow perch catching continues to be hit or miss with anglers doing good one day (20 to 50 fish) and skunked the next. One angler reported doing well out of Dunkirk on Tuesday in 50 feet of water straight out using live golden shiners.

Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club walleye derby captains are REQUIRED to sign up for the 2018 event at the following times: Friday, June 15 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday, June 16 from 1p.m. – 4 p.m., Friday, June 22 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 23 from noon until 3 p.m. You will fill out the entry form, provide payment and be advised of the derby rules and regulations. Bass season opens statewide on Saturday.

Calendar: There is a weigh station in Dunkirk for the Southtowns Walleye Association annual walleye derby which will take place from June 9-17. To compete, you had to register prior to the event starting. The weigh station is west of the City of Dunkirk Pier, alongside the old Stephan’s store on Lake Shore Drive West. Weigh station hours of operation will be from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. daily. If you get a big fish after that time frame, you can still weigh your fish until 8 p.m. at the Southtowns Walleye Club located at 5895 Southwestern Blvd, Hamburg.

The NYSDEC Lake Erie Angler Outreach event will take place at the Woodlawn Beach State Park on June 20 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. All are welcome. Topics presented by members of the fisheries management group will include walleye, musky, sturgeon and lake trout acoustic telemetry, yellow perch management, and question and answer discussions. The event is FREE. For more info, call 366-0228.

June 29 is the date for the second annual WNY Heroes Military Veterans Walleye Fun Fish Day. The event is based out of the Dunkirk Harbor from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Rain or shine. Veterans in the competition can weigh in one walleye or one bass. Lunch will be provided by the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club from 2-4 p.m. To participate, complete the sign-up form at http://eepurl.com/dp97JD. Or contact Chairman Captain Jim Steel at 716-481-5348.

July 7 is the next walleye tournament with the Lake Erie Big Dawg Walleye Tournament. This is a one day five walleye/day . Optional Big Fish Friday is on July 6. Unlimited boat field with two to five anglers per boat. $500 entry fee. 100 percent pay back. Call Mark Mohr for details at 998-9871 or go to www.rayzorbigdawg.com.

July 21 is the eighth annual Sunset Bay Shoot Out This event is full. Contact Captain Don Ruppert at 435-4137 or go to walleyeshootout.com.

August 3, 4 and 5 are the dates for the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club walleye derby. A three day tourney, with three walleye per day allowed entry. Two to four anglers per boat.

Cassadaga Lakes Association will host the 25th annual Lew Meade Memorial Youth Fishing Tournament on Saturday, June 23 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, TWO of the winners (not 8) will receive their own kayaks. For more information call Steve Wickmark at 595-2900.

August 25 is the Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk. A one day tournament with optional Big Fish Friday on August 24. Limited to 65 boats with the registartion deadline on August 1. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to www.lakeeriewalleyetournament.com.

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.

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.