OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Wilfredo Reyes and Jaleya Reyes enjoy a beautiful Autumn day fishing off the City of Dunkirk Pier.

Those boaters venturing offshore are still getting limit catches of walleye on Lake Erie. Sunday morning looked a bit miserable for some, but two anglers that did go out reported getting a dozen walleye in 85 feet of water.

One boat commented that the fish were hot for worm tipped harnesses. Later in the week, several other boaters reported doing the same thing, in the same area, extending out to 90 feet of water. Rick Miller in Irving commented that there were 38 boats out of Cattaraugus Creek on Wednesday with the majority targeting walleye. The hot zone there has been 65 to 70 foot.

Again, Miller commented the fish seemed to be showing a preference for night crawlers. Yellow perch fishing out of the “cat” has been so-so. Some anglers report very good catches while others struggle. Speaking of perch, one angler reported that while fishing for perch out of Dunkirk, they found that the yellow perch were feeding heavily on crayfish.

Dean Marine has been conducting dredging operations for most of the summer, weather permitting, out of Dunkirk and lately they have been doing a lot of work out of the Dunkirk Channel. That may be why, the fish are feeding on crayfish. On Tuesday, I also spied an angler fishing off the north end of the pier, who replied he had caught four nice yellow perch that day.

Skip Bianco from Hogan’s Hut/Stow reports that on Chautauqua Lake the walleye activity has started to move deeper, as well as along the weed line. The DEC has been doing electro shocking on the lake and indicated that the walleye are usually found on rocky points in the evening.

The yellow perch can be found closer to shore in the Millfoil vegetation, in great numbers. Catching yellow perch has improved on Chautauqua lake near the shore line and bonus calicos are in the same area. Jumbo sized blue gills have been hitting also.

Small mouth bass are along the outer weedline while large mouth have been utilizing structure, like docks, etc. inside of the weedline. The water level has gone down in area hard bottom creeks, and Miller commented that Cattaraugus Creek is still very muddy. Water levels are high as of Wednesday at the mouth of Canadaway Creek, possibly because the wave action, might have blocked the mouth. If going offshore, keep an eye on the sky!

Calendar: Just a reminder that I am always looking for a good hunting, fishing or trapping story, to share with our readers. I am usually available for photos too by calling 366-1772 or 467-2079. Good luck and enjoy your next outing. Conservation Club members are reminded that beginning Oct. 1, hunting season starts. Club members are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to the club on Tuesdays during hunting season for the Hunters Helping the Hungry program. All canned food items will be donated to charity during the Christmas holidays. Thanks!

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Ladies Auxiliary is having a chicken BBQ at the Con Club located at the foot of Mullet Street on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets are still available.

There is a pistol training course at the “Con Club” on Oct. 17 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. There is a mandatory fee of $80 for this course. To pre-register or for information contact Gary Dudek at 366-3397.

Free Monday night fly tying instruction has resumed on Monday nights at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, located at Mullet Street in Dunkirk. Classes are for all levels of fly tying, but especially for beginners. No equipment is necessary. All participants get to keep their productions. Classes are from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The classes are open to the public. Sometimes they even have homemade cookies!

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.

There will be a gun show at the Astabula County Fairgrounds located at the County Expo Center Building, 127 North Elm Street, Jefferson, OH, 44047. Show is on Oct. 27-28, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Next show is on Nov. 17 and 18 at the Hickory Post VFW located at 5550 East state Street. Us Route 62 East of PA. — West of Mercer on 62, Hermitage, PA, 16148. Same show times.

On Dec. 8 and 9, a gun show at Harbor Creek Fire Dept. Social Hall, located at 7275 Buffalo Road, US Route 20 (located between North East, PA and Harbor Creek, PA. For details or information, contact Larry Spicer at 716-792-9972 or go to LRgunshows@gmail.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.