Colder weather might be bringing fishing action closer to shore.

On Thursday, there were reports of good trout fishing in Chautauqua Creek, Cattaraugus Creek and Walnut Creek with even a few trout spotted in Canadaway Creek. The water level at Canadaway Creek is very high because the mouth of the creek continues to be blocked by a large sand bar. Jason Robinson at the Dunkirk-based DEC Fisheries station commented that there were reports of beaver activity at the mouth of the creek, but upon investigation those reports were untrue.

Note also that during the week there has been trout stocking activity also with Cattaraugus Creek getting a large shipment of rainbow trout released near the bridge. Robinson commented that the fish were in great shape and in the 7-to-9-inch range. These fish are taking the place of the annual brown trout that would normally be stocked. The brown trout were not giving a good return, so the switch was made to rainbow trout for more bang for the sportsman’s buck. Hopefully the fish will survive the cormorant predation.

Rick Miller in Irving reports that anglers were able to get off shore during the week and some of them found good numbers of good-sized yellow perch just east of the mouth of the “Catt” off the whitewall in 52 feet of water.

Captain Larry Jones reported that a few of his buddies found perch in 62 feet off Woodlawn Bar. This time of year it gets harder to find a launch area with docks still in. Hanover has pulled the docks but there is a report that there is still one dock in at Hidden Harbor.

Captain Jones commented that the launch is still open at the Buffalo Small Boat Harbor and Sheridan Drive. Dunkirk boat launch still has docks in. A couple friends tried out for perch on Wednesday trying several locations out of Dunkirk with no luck. However, on Friday evening last week this columnist cruised the Dunkirk pier after dark and talked with several fishermen who commented that they had been hitting a variety of fish in the evening including perch which were hitting aggressively after dark on live minnows. They also hit black bass, rock bass and an occasional walleye. Several boaters that were returning at that time commented that they had little action long line trolling.

Captain Jones offered that the Lower Niagara River is still yielding trout and lake trout action, with green beads and egg sacks proving effective. A few muskies in the 40-inch range were taken in the Small Boat harbor on Depth Raider plugs.

Action on Chautauqua Lake has been slow after the lake turned over. Gerri Beiger at Bill’s Hooks commented that a customer returned to her store recently with a photo of a 32-inch walleye he caught off the pier, on an ice fishing jig he had purchased the day before. Rick Miller also commented that he had heard of a similar story on the “Catt” near the railroad bridge.

Lee Weber in Derby commented that Jigging rapalas have been one of his best sellers lately also. The weather man stated that warmer weather will return next week.

CALENDAR

Bow hunting opened up on Oct. 1. Crossbow season will open up on Nov. 7 until Nov. 20. Regular firearm season opens up on Nov. 21 until Dec. 13. Turkey season ended Friday. Duck season ends Nov. 8 with a split-season reopening Nov. 28 until Jan. 3.

Gun Shows:

¯ Harborcreek, Pennsylvania — Dec. 12-13 at the Harborcreek Fire Department Social Hall, 7275 Buffalo Road-US Route 20. Saturday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

¯ Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania — Jan. 23-24, 2021, at 11861 Sportsman Road (off Route 18). Saturday 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. For information contact Larry Spicer at 792-9972 or go to LRgunshows@gmail.com. Tables available.

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