OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Gary Pleva mans the Southtowns Walleye Weigh station in Dunkirk located in the Chadwick Bay Marina parking lot.

Saturday was gorgeous weather-wise and full of activity locally. The Great Lakes Experience once again returned to the City of Dunkirk with lots of booths, learning stations and food vendors. Early in the morning Zen Olow, Jack Forbes and Julio DeLeon were on hand at the park offering their services to anyone who would like to fish. Over two dozen eager anglers took them up on the offer and ended up having a good time. Later in the day, the crowd arrived to check out the festivities. It was another great event. Thanks to all the sponsors who contributed to make this event possible.

Saturday was also the start of the 35th annual Southtowns Walleye Association Walleye Derby. This event has a lot of history with Dunkirk also, as numerous big money fish have been taken through out the years from our home port. Over the years, Dunkirk was unable to support a weigh station, due to lack of volunteerism, but local angler Gary Pleva stepped up with a group of friends, and once again made Dunkirk an active destination. If that didn’t happen, anglers would have to stop at Hanover, Barcelona or the SWA club in Hamburg to weigh-in their catch. The weigh station hours at Hanover and Dunkirk are from 2-5 p.m. Barcelona is 1p.m. – 4 p.m. and the club is open until 7 p.m. This event is a big money event offering over $100,000 in cash and merchandise for prizes. This event will conclude on Sunday, June 16 at 4 p.m. with the awards banquet on June 29 at 4 p.m.

Walleye action was good out of Dunkirk, with lots of anglers reporting taking walleye anywhere from 20 feet to over 50 feet deep on a variety of presentations. Even if you are not in the Derby, try your luck fishing, because the walleye bite has been exceptional. Also on the positive side, there are new docks at the Dunkirk Boat Launch as of Thursday evening and they are just what the fishermen ordered and needed. In addition the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club has also recently installed an access ramp for their fishing docks, to the delight of the club members. Check it out!

I would also like to point out that Bart’s Cove has a nice launch facility that is open to the public for a small fee. Dunkirk’s Music on the Pier, has been moved to the park, and that is a positive move by many people I have questioned. Maybe we can keep it in the park. Enjoy!

Calendar: NYS fishing regulations used to have a lunker bass season that opened up on the first Saturday in May. That regulation has now changed and opens on Lake Erie and its tributaries on Dec. 1, until the third Saturday in June, and allows anglers to harvest one 20-inch minimum bass per day. (See page 46 of Rules and Regulations.)

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.

June 21-22 is Lake Erie Big Dawg Walleye Tournament, out of the Dunkirk Harbor. Contact Mark Mohr at 998-9871 or go to www.razorsbigdawg.com.

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 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 4 age groups. Sign up at the state boat launch located at Lilly Dale by 8 a.m. with the weigh in at 11 a.m. at the same place. Trophies and prizes awarded shortly afterwards.

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.