OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Dunkirk launch has pulled their floating docks.

Cooler temperatures have signaled some changes, but some things remain the same. There continues to be no shortage of wind, so the offshore fishery has been at a standstill for the most part.

Rick Miller in Irving commented that there has not been much yellow perch fishing on Lake Erie since last weekend. Those anglers that did get out reported that they found better numbers of ringbacks by heading east of the mouth of the Cattaraugus Creek closer to Sturgeon Point.

Trout fishing has been up and down with the amount of precipitation. As of Thursday afternoon, the Cattaraugus Creek was still a bit murky while the hard-bottom creeks like Silver Creek and Walnut Creek were getting too clear. Thursday’s late rainfall most likely would have an impact on that scenario.

Justin Stevens at Catt Creek Bait & Tackle reports that perch angling over the weekend was good in 55 to 65 feet of water out of Hanover, the Cattaraugus Creek and all the way to Evangola State Park. Walleye activity was at 50 to 62 feet of water straight out of the Cattaraugus Creek for anglers using stick baits and purple and black harnesses. Trout are in the Cattaraugus Creek all the way up to Skobie Dam and Versailes. Hot egg and imitation colors are pink and orange.

Gerri Beiger at Bill’s Hooks reports that anglers have still found decent trout fishing at Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek. In addition, anglers fishing from the City of Dunkirk Pier have also been catching trout and an occasional walleye by casting spoons and spinners. Using a one-two combo of a rod prepped with bait like a minnow presented under a float or bait on a perch rig will attract fish while casting hardware. Be sure to carry a long-handled landing net if you intend to catch and keep.

There are not very many boats left in the slips at Dunkirk and the floating docks have also recently been pulled at the Dunkirk Pier launch site.

Note that top trout baits while fishing in the streams continue to be eggs and egg imitations like beads. Spinners have been deadly also at times.

Not much moving for local archery hunters. Hunters report sighting some deer occasionally but are passing up shots on smaller bucks and antlerless deer waiting for the bruiser bucks to appear with the up coming rut.

Zach, my contact at Hogan’s Hut in Stow, reports that the cooler temperatures have had a positive effect on the fishing on Chautauqua Lake. Anglers fishing the southern end of the lake near Celoron or Greenhurst have reported catching walleye and occasional muskie by wading offshore and pitching meat-tipped jig heads in shallow water after sundown. Muskies have been chasing crank baits and larger sized spinner baits. Nice-sized yellow perch have been reported at the northern end of the lake, like at Mayville. Fish the weedline in 6 to 8 feet of water with bait minnows or worms.

CALENDAR

¯ There is a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club today from 2:30-7:30 p.m. There is a mandatory $80 fee for attending this course. Call Gary Dudek at 716-366-3397 for details.

¯ Fall turkey season for our area is from Oct. 16-29. One bird of either sex. Deer season in our area: archery season Oct. 1 until Nov. 19; crossbow season Nov. 6-19. See exclusions; firearms season Saturday, Nov. 20 to Dec 12; muzzle-loading season, southern zone Dec. 13-21, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Canada goose season. south zone Oct. 23 to Nov. 19. Daily limit five per day. Split season: Nov. 25 to Jan 13. Daily limit five per day. Ducks: western zone: Oct. 16 to Nov. 7. Split Nov. 27 to Jan. 2. Scaup (two-day) Dec. 14 to Jan. 2. Snow geese: Oct. 1 to April 15. Brant: Oct. 2 to Nov. 20.

¯ Gun show today and Sunday at Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. Ashtabula County Expo Center Building 127 North Elm St. Jefferson, Ohio. Today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Go to LRsportingevents.com or call 716-792-9972.

¯ If you have a story or photo you would like to share or your club has an event that pertains to the outdoors, call 716-366-1772, 716-785-3659 or 716-366-3000, ext. 1 after 6 p.m. Leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached.