As of Wednesday afternoon, the ice on Chautauqua Lake was getting “funky.” Ice fishing on Chautauqua Lake has been pretty good especially over the weekend. Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut/Stow reports that there has been about 5 inches of ice cover on the lake, but the recent warming trend along with rainfall has left the ice condition questionable in some areas.

Mayville is the spot for yellow perch action while Bemus Bay continues to yield blue gills in addition to some nice crappie. Anglers targeting walleye have found the weed line edges productive at sunrise and sunset, and anglers have better luck moving out to the deeper holes during the day time Long Point North has been the most productive area lately.

Trout action was good over the weekend according to Rick Miller in Irving. The weather was nice and attracted the fishing force to Cattaraugus Creek, but as the week progressed, the participation died down. There has been some trout activity at Chautauqua Creek also, though the Dunkirk Harbor has been slow. There has been some pan fish activity reported from the Buffalo Small boat harbor, with anglers utilizing the docks for access.

Thank you to all the people who made the annual February Take-A-Kid-Fishing chicken Barbecue fundraiser another success.

Just a reminder that a Federal judge stopped the limited oiling and nest destruction of cormorants in 2016, and once again the cormorant population has escalated. The US Fish & Wildlife Service is offering webinars to inform the public and accept comments on what should be done with the cormorant problem. The deadline for commentary is March 09. To submit commentary go to www.regulations.gov. You can also write to: public Comments Processing, Attention: FWS-HQ-MB-2019-0103; U.S. fish & Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS:JAO/1N,5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

Be sure to check the Calendar for outdoor show activities.

Calendar: Pistol courses at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club. There will be another course on Wednesday March 18 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 P.M. There is an $80 fee for these courses. For more information contact Gary at 366- 3397. On Monday evenings the “Con Club”is looking for people interested in learning “how to tie their own fishing flies.” Several advanced fly-tiers will be on hand to give individual attention to persons who would like to learn this hobby. All materials and equipment are provided free. The learning area is secure and a controlled environment from 6 until 8 p.m. You get to keep what you make. Refreshments are usually provided and always free. No experience necessary, no sign up required. Just show up and have fun. This would be a great opportunity for scout leaders to bring their young charges in for a great learning experience.

See JOURNAL, Page B4

SCall 366-1772 days if you need more information or a contact number.

Upcoming Gun Shows: March 7-8 at the Hickory Post VFW, located at 5550 East State Street (US Route 62, East of PA 18, West of Mercer on 62) Hermitage, PA, 16148. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March 21-22, 2020 at the Harborcreek Fire Dept. Social Hall, located 7275 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA, 16421 (Located US Route 20 between North East, PA and Harborcreek, PA). Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

April 18-19 at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. The show is located at the Ashtabula County Expo Center Building at 127 North Elm Street, Jefferson, OH, 44047. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information on any upcoming show listed call Larry Spicer at (716) 792-9972.

The 2020 Friends of the NRA banquet will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29 at the American Legion Samuel Derby Post 556 located at 9 Meadow Lane Frewsburg. Door open at 4:30 p.m. Live auction. dinner, huge raffle. Call Jennifer Schmitt at 487-2487 or go to chautauquacountyfriendsofnra@yahoo.com.

The Northern Chautauqua Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet and Live Auction will be held on Saturday, March 7 at the Blessed Mary Angela Parish Social Center located at 324 Townsend St., Dunkirk. Doors opens at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. There will be a raffle and live auction. For tickets and information call Ronald Romance at 969-5166 or visit www.ducks.org/new.york/events.

There will be an Outdoor Show at the Salamanca Casino on Feb. 29 and March 1. For your convenience, a pistol clerk will be on hand during the event if you decide to purchase any firearms.

Children in the Stream will present weekly free fly-tying classes every Tuesday from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Costello Room in the Rockefeller Art Center at the State University of New York Fredonia, The group has resumed activities on Jan. 27 after a short recess over the Christmas Holidays. Children ages 12 and up, including adults are welcome and encouraged to attend. All tools and material will be provided for free. Contact Alberto Rey for more information at 410-7003 or go to 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.

SCall 366-1772 days if you need more information or a contact number.

Upcoming Gun Shows: March 7-8 at the Hickory Post VFW, located at 5550 East State Street (US Route 62, East of PA 18, West of Mercer on 62) Hermitage, PA, 16148. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March 21-22, 2020 at the Harborcreek Fire Dept. Social Hall, located 7275 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA, 16421 (Located US Route 20 between North East, PA and Harborcreek, PA). Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

April 18-19 at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. The show is located at the Ashtabula County Expo Center Building at 127 North Elm Street, Jefferson, OH, 44047. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information on any upcoming show listed call Larry Spicer at (716) 792-9972.

The 2020 Friends of the NRA banquet will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29 at the American Legion Samuel Derby Post 556 located at 9 Meadow Lane Frewsburg. Door open at 4:30 p.m. Live auction. dinner, huge raffle. Call Jennifer Schmitt at 487-2487 or go to chautauquacountyfriendsofnra@yahoo.com.

The Northern Chautauqua Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet and Live Auction will be held on Saturday, March 7 at the Blessed Mary Angela Parish Social Center located at 324 Townsend St., Dunkirk. Doors opens at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. There will be a raffle and live auction. For tickets and information call Ronald Romance at 969-5166 or visit www.ducks.org/new.york/events.

There will be an Outdoor Show at the Salamanca Casino on Feb. 29 and March 1. For your convenience, a pistol clerk will be on hand during the event if you decide to purchase any firearms.

Children in the Stream will present weekly free fly-tying classes every Tuesday from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Costello Room in the Rockefeller Art Center at the State University of New York Fredonia, The group has resumed activities on Jan. 27 after a short recess over the Christmas Holidays. Children ages 12 and up, including adults are welcome and encouraged to attend. All tools and material will be provided for free. Contact Alberto Rey for more information at 410-7003 or go to 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.