From that day on, my next goal in life was to learn more about Lake Erie bass, and I did. I realized as I grew older that Lake Erie was a literal fish farm for smallmouth bass. They had lots of forage and rose quickly from fry to adults.

I met folks at the DEC, Lake Erie Fisheries Biologist Floyd Cornelius, who suggested how to fish for them. In 1994, the DEC opened the special fishing seasons to allow fishing for pre-spawn bass with a catch-and-release trophy season during the spring. This had been a period that was previously closed to bass fishing. Then in 2007, the DEC expanded this approach by introducing a catch and release season for black bass to most of New York state, not just Lake Erie. This broader regulation permitted anglers to fish for bass during the spring months, provided they released the fish immediately after capture.

So, the regulations for black bass fishing in Lake Erie and its tributaries are currently two-fold. From Dec. 1 to June 14, it is the catch-and-release trophy season with a one-fish bag limit; minimum length is 20 inches. From June 15 to Nov. 30 is the regular bass season, also called the harvest season, though most anglers only fish for bass for the fun of it. Even in tournament fishing, all the bass are released alive, which is good. Minimum length is 12 inches if you keep them, with a daily bag of five fish. These regulations aim to balance recreational opportunities with the conservation of the black bass fishery in Lake Erie.

Anglers flock to Dunkirk Harbor during the spring trophy season to target giant smallmouth bass due to the unique environmental conditions and seasonal behavior of the bass. The smallmouth migrate from the colder depths of Lake Erie into the warmer, shallower areas like Dunkirk Harbor to feed and prepare for spawning. The harbor structure is comprised of rocky bottoms, reefs, sandy-silty areas, breakwall hiding areas and drop-offs. Ideal structure. Add the influx of baitfish such as emerald shiners and other forage, and the harbor attracts massive numbers of bass, making it a prime location for anglers looking to catch a once-in-a-lifetime trophy. Tube jigs resembling crayfish, emerald shiners, or gobies are popular angler baits. Suspending jerkbaits are effective too, mimicking injured baitfish, enticing predatory strikes. Finesse techniques like drop-shot rigs work too, presenting soft plastics or live bait just above the bottom, keeping the lure in the strike zone.

Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher Fishing for smallmouth bass in Dunkirk Harbor is nothing but pure fishing fun, as Bill Hilts Jr., uses a Keitech soft plastic jig to fool this 4 ½-pound fish.

Dunkirk Harbor’s reputation as a top bass fishing destination is well-deserved. Lake Erie was named seventh place in the Bassmaster’s Top 100 Bass Lakes in the USA, with an official daily catch rate of 14 bass per trip. However, those who understand how to fish in Dunkirk Harbor often catch 50 or 60 bass in just five hours of fishing during the spring fishery. This high success rate is evidence of the abundance of bass here. It’s quite remarkable.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

May 10: Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Walleye Open, Long Point Boat Launch; Open to the public. $100 entry. Info: Tournament Director, 716-708-0330.

May 10: Springville Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Annual Banquet, St. Aloysius Church Hall, 186 Franklin St., Springville, 5 p.m. start, Info: James Gamel, 716-592-2388.

May 10-16: Wilson Harbor Salmon Slam Fishing Contest, $1k/day prizes, Info: Kevin Jerge, 716-863-1001.

May 13: Junior Olympic Archery Program for youth 5-16 yrs of age, 6 p.m. start, West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls.

May 17: Ribbons and Bows Charity 3-D Archery Shoot, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., $20, Hawkeye Bowmen, 13300 Clinton St., Alden; Info: Deb Frederiksen, defrederiksen85@gmail.com.