OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek The Dunkirk Harbor Commission met Wednesday to discuss a number of topics and issues.

The temperature has been a little bit warmer, but it seems there is no shortage of rain and wind. Tuesday and Wednesday were once again very windy, stalling any serious fishing effort.

During last Saturday’s local walleye competition, The Big Dawg Walleye tournament, Tim Stone the captain of the Trolling Stones Fishing team commented, that his crew started setting up in 35 feet of water as they left the Dunkirk harbor. They encountered cloudy or “dirty water” in 35-45 feet deep, but they also found some quality tournament sized walleye in the same area. Using stick baits, the crew estimated they had 35 walleye, which they culled through to put together a six walleye derby limit, totaling over 41 pounds. They also picked up several brown trout in the same area. Later, I found that some local perch fishermen encountered better perch fishing in that same shallow dirty water.

Monday, this columnist tried his luck in 56-62 feet of water just west of the light tower. We marked a lot of fish, but had to settle for three walleye and one perch.

There have been reports of limit catches coming from east of Dunkirk. Rick Miller reports that fishing activity has slowed down considerably due to the unstable wind and weather. Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut/Stow commented that the walleye fishing is very good on Chautauqua Lake lately. Lakewood, Mayville and Magnolia Bay are good choices. Fishing in 6 feet to 24 feet. Utilize soft jig baits when probing the weed pockets, and worm harnesses while trolling the weedline edges. Yellow perch on Chautauqua Lake has been slow, as well as the calico bite. However, blue gills and white perch are filling the void on the panfish bite. Remember that this weekend is a free fishing weekend, where anglers are not required to have a fishing license to try their luck.

The Lew Mead Memorial Kids Fishing Derby is Saturday with free registration for youths under the age of 16 at the state boat launch in Lilly Dale at 7-8 a.m. The weigh-in for prize consideration is at the same area at 11 a.m. with prizes and trophies for boys and girls in four age classifications to follow afterwards. Free hot dogs and drink for all. Enjoy!

Southtowns walleye will have their awards program later the same day in Hamburg at 5895 Southwestern Blvd. at 4 p.m. At the latest meeting of the Dunkirk Harbor Commission, we learned that the Fourth of July fire works will take place off the pier and the opening of the pier for the boat races is on schedule. The speed boats that anglers witnessed last Saturday morning along with helicopters was part of a “poker run” originating from North East and ending in Hamburg. Enjoy some free fishing this weekend and take the kids too.

Calendar: There will be a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Saturday, June 29 from 5:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. There is an $80 fee for attending this course. For details contact Gary Dudek at 366- 3397.

WNY Heroes Fishing Day is June 28. Open to all Military veterans. Call 630-5020 to sign up. Charter Captains call Jim Steel at 983-7867.

June 29 the Chautauqua Showdown Musky Tournament is from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Catch & Release at the Mayville launch. There will also be a Kids raffle table. Go to nymusky69@yahoo.com.

June 29 is Family Fishing Day at the foot of Ferry Street. Contact George Johnson at 818-3410.

June 29-30 are Free Fishing Days.

The Lew Mead annual Kids fishing contest on Cassadaga Lake is Saturday, June 29. The event is free and open to youths 15 years old and younger with prizes in four age groups. Sign up at the state boat launch located at Lily Dale by 8 a.m. with the weigh in at 11 a.m. at the same place. Trophies and prizes awarded shortly afterwards.

June 29 – July 28 is the 10th annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer derby. Go to www.loc.org.

July 19-20 is the Sunset Bay Shootout. Contact Captain Don Ruppert at 435-4137.

July 28 is the Chautauqua Lake Summer Bass Team OPEN. At Chautauqua Lake, Long Point State Park. Contact Mike Russo at (716) 640-6915.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tournament is August 2-4. Contact person is Zen Olow at 640-2776.

VIP Day is August 7. Contact Zen Olow at 640-2776.

August 11 is the Chautauqua Bassmasters Tournament No. 3 on Chautauqua Lake/Long Point State Park. Contact Mike Russo at 640-6915. Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to www.innovative-outdoors.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.