Photo by Anthony Sprague Using live minnows and tip-ups, the walleye fishing was great near the Willow Bay boat ramp at Kinzua Lake this past weekend.

On the local fishing front — Yes, there is ice fishing this year.

Cheer on.

There was actually very good ice fishing last weekend. Some lakes and waterways had as much as 6 inches where folks could walk on the transformed water condition. Ice thickness usually depends on the water location, the volume of water in each waterway, the depth, wind direction, snow depth and the temperature. Ice anglers need to be careful while traveling on the ice and the use of a spud bar is a necessity.

The south end of Chautauqua Lake provided yellow perch and crappie catches and Honeoye Lake was busy with dozens of ice anglers where walleye and panfish were plentiful. Cuba Lake provided some fat northern pike for ice anglers using chubs and crappie near the dam with live minnows. Harwood Lake, New Albion Lake and the lower end of Kinzua Reservoir also saw scores of anglers vying their way to a favored ice fishing location, many pounding a spud bar to verify ice safety before settling on a spot to fish. Safety first, thank you.

Live minnows on tip-ups were highly effective on those waterways where live bait is allowed, and tiny ice jigs tipped with live grubs worked near the bottom with lightweight fishing line (2-pound test mono) fooled panfish and crappie.

The warm spell and rain are scheduled to again be upon Western New York in the next few days, which could change the ice-angling forecast. Here’s to tipping off those fish.

P.S.: Don’t forget about stop in to the Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen meeting this Wednesday at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, 433 E. Terrace Ave., in Lakewood. President Zen Olow will begin the sociable meeting at 7 p.m. The Chautauqua Federation is one of several statewide county federations that bring organized conservation and recreation efforts together for common discussion. It’s a great place to find a free dinner at times and there’s useful friendly advice for newbies. Among topics for discussion will be Youth Lifetime Licenses and the annual banquet plan. WNY Deer Search provided a $1,000 donation to support the Chautauqua County Federation youth lifetime license outreach program. Hats off to Deer Search.

CALENDAR

Jan. 23: Children-In-The-Stream-Youth 4H Fly Fishing Program, Free, SUNY Fredonia Rockefeller Art Center — Costello Room, 7-8:30 p.m. Info: Alberto Rey: 716-410-7003.

Jan. 24: Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen, monthly meeting, Lakewood Rod and Gun, 7 p.m. start; Info: call Zen Olow, 716-640-2776.

Jan. 26-28: NY Sportsman’s Expo, Syracuse Fairgrounds; Info: www.newyorksportsmansexpo.com.

Jan. 30: Children-In-The-Stream-Youth 4H Fly Fishing Program, Free, SUNY Fredonia Rockefeller Art Center — Costello Room, 7-8:30 p.m., Info: Alberto Rey: 716-410-7003.

Feb. 3-4: NY Musky Expo, Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Road (Route 394), Mayville, 9 a.m. start both days; visit Meta (Facebook) for more info. Feb. 15-18: Niagara Outdoor Expo, Niagara Falls; Info: 716-278-2100; www.niagarafishingexpo.com.

Feb. 24: Ducks Unlimited, Northern Chautauqua Chapter — annual banquet and auction, Blessed Mary Angela Parish, 324 Townsend St., Dunkirk; $60/ticket or $90/couple; Info: 716-785-1409 716-410-2409. March 8-10: WNY Sport, Travel & Outdoor Expo; Hamburg; www.eriepromotions.com/wny-sport-show.

Note: Submit Calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.