OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek NYSDEC Angler Outreach at Woodlawn State Park on June 20 covered a wide variety of studies, including walleye movement in Lake Erie.

On Wednesday, June 20, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation held their Angler Outreach Event at Woodlawn Beach State Park. Various specialists in their field gave presentations on: Walleye, Lake Trout, Muskellunge and Sturgeon, Acoustic Telemetry, Yellow Perch Management, as well as progress on the Springville Dam/Fish ladder project and the announcement that DEC Senior Lake Erie biologist Don Einhouse will be retiring later this year.

The discussion lasted a couple of hours and was well received by concerned fishermen. Each topic deserves its own mention in detail, but for now, here are a few highlights. In regards to the Springville Dam project the goals of the project included: Lowering the existing spill way, reconstructing a sea lamprey barrier and system to allow native fish to pass through a trap and sort barrier; allowing for water velocities passable for sport fish and native minnows; all for seasonal passage that doesn’t require trap and sort. Construction of the project most likely will take place in 2020 at the projected cost of over $7 million of which $4 million plus will be federal money. Acoustic telemetry tracking of various species. Lake Trout implanted transmitters have a four year life span battery and the receivers are planted all around the lake. There are 96 tagged lake trout in the lake and so far only one “tag” has been turned in for a $100 reward. Initial findings from the tracking effort indicate that the lake trout after the fall turnover hang around the south shore of Lake Erie. Most of the fish hang around between Dunkirk and Erie during the spawning season. Walleye acoustic telemetry studies revealed that Western Basin walleye occupy the entire length of Lake Erie and are a shared resource. Eastern Basin Walleye stay mostly between New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario. The walleye stock from Grand River stay in that area. One of the biggest “Eye Openers” of the telemetry movement study, was when Jason Robinson, the DEC Warm Water species “Electronics Wizard,” reported that some tagged walleye were able to travel from Ohio to the Buffalo area in 20 days. That is traveling 200 miles in 20 days or an average of 10 miles per day. Some of the highlights of the study stress the importance of inter agency sharing and co-operation. Decisions that concern the Western Basin will have an effect throughout the entire lake. I’ll have more information at a later date.

In the latest issue of the New York Outdoor News there is an announcement that the cross bow resolution to expand the season and the other resolution to lower the legal hunting age for hunters did NOT pass. This is an election year. Remember to get out and vote!

Calendar:

Southtowns Walleye Association will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, July 19 staring at 7:30 p.m. at their club located at 5895 Southwestern Boulevard, Hamburg. Open to the public.

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. The weigh-in is on the beach and is a festive occasion worth attending. Big Fish Friday will be on July 21. Weigh-in will be at 4:15 p.m.. The Shoot Out weigh-in is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 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. A full field of 100 teams is currently signed up with a waiting list. This three day event is considered by some as the most fun event of the area tournaments. Lots of opportunities to win.

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