Chadwick Bay Marina crew members have already started to address this winter’s damage. OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek.

Anglers note that walleye season in New York will be closed from March 15 (Sunday) until the first Saturday in May which is May 2. According to Skip Bianco, anglers have been having success in walleye fishing at the mouth of Prendergast Creek recently.

The diminishing ice cover has been piling up on the east side of Chautauqua Lake and should all be gone by this weekend. Just because the lake will no longer have a lid on it, doesn’t mean the fish will vacate the fishing hot spots that were producing recently. Many areas can be reached from shore or from a boat. The main thing to remember is try to utilize the same baits and presentation that were working, while fishing through the ice. Continue to use small jigs, light lines and s-l-o-w vertical presentations.

You may have to change up on the fishing rods to achieve further distance in casting and hook setting, but not a lot will change for awhile. Trout fishing should continue to improve locally. Rick Miller in Irving commented that the weekend weather brought out the anglers. Locally Canadaway and Chautauqua Creek have been decent. Historically bull heads will start to bite after a few warm rains. That’s a good time to head for the channels for some crappie action also. If you get the itch to try some off shore angling for perch etc. be aware that the docks have been removed at most of the launch sites. Most likely you will need waders and possibly a step ladder. The powers that be most likely are keeping an eye on this warm winter and hopefully will have at least limited docks in for when the weather does break.

The weather has not been kind to local marinas. Next time you cruise the City of Dunkirk pier look east at the visible destruction of the floating docks. Sturgeon Point is also in rough shape. The rising waters of Lake Erie has left other local docks under water too. Many of the people who patronize the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club notice that there has been a swan wintering in the corner of the harbor. That noticeable large white bird has been missing for over a week. Rick Miller reported sighting a swan by Saint Columbians on Wednesday, which might solve the mystery.

On a personal note The Ray Pauszek family would like to thank all the people who expressed their condolences for our family’s loss. We appreciate the kind words, prayers, thoughts and actions. Once again, thank you so much! On a lighter note, good luck to the Dunkirk Girls Bowling and Basketball teams!

Calendar: There will be a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club 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.

The Lakeshore Longbeards our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will be having their next meeting on Monday, March 23 starting at 6 p.m. at Liberty Vineyards located on Route 20 in Sheridan. They will announce the winner of the annual scholarship award and will pick a date for the 2020 JAKES day event. Anyone who has any ideas for the day or who would like to volunteer, are encouraged to attend.

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.