Photo courtesy William Schwartz, WWO Guide Service Fingerling trout and steelhead grow to larger sizes very quickly in Lake Erie. The recent rains have signaled the Lake Erie steelhead and other trout species to return to their winter home to the five Chautauqua County tributaries as the autumn season begins.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club hosted an introductory organizational meeting last week to introduce an exciting new project that could strengthen local fisheries, enhance sportfishing opportunities in Dunkirk Harbor, and boost the local economy through increased tourism and recreational activities.

The proposed initiative, a fish pen project for rearing trout fingerlings, was detailed during the meeting by the highly experienced New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) aquatic biologist team of Pascal Wilkins, Jarrod Ludwig and Mike Todd, all from the NYSDEC Bureau of Fisheries, with Jarrod Ludwig in the lead on this project. Their expertise and dedication were evident in the 20-page handout they presented, which provides detailed information on everything from pen size and construction to feeding schedules for fish care and maintenance.

According to the plan, the initial start-up phase will focus on raising approximately 3,000 trout, each measuring 4 to 5 inches, in a series of floating pens to be installed for several weeks in early spring in Dunkirk Harbor. The crucial role of volunteers in this process cannot be overstated. They will help build the floating pens (20-feet long x 6-feet wide x 5-feet deep), install them in a temporary location in the harbor (to be determined), and help rear the fish until they are ready for release — all efforts that will contribute to a more robust and healthy local fishery.

The project’s success is not just a matter of financial support, but also of community involvement. An estimated $10,000 in start-up funding is required to purchase materials, feed, and necessary equipment, including the possible option of automatic feeders. According to the handout, the fish need to be fed five times each day. Who has the midnight watch? This is a project that we, as a community, can make successful.

About 45 people attended the meeting at the Conservation Club, including members of the Western New York Steelhead Association and other local anglers, all of whom expressed enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer their time and skills once the project is underway.

NCCC Project Chairman Paul Sopier said the next step will be to determine fundraising strategies, noting that public donations will be an essential first step in getting the project off the ground.

“This is a great opportunity for our local fishing community to directly contribute to sustaining and improving the fishery in Dunkirk Harbor,” Sopier said.

He added: “Every donation, large or small, helps us get closer to building and stocking these pens.”

Feel free to drop a tax-free conservation donation to Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club — Trout Pen Project, Attn: Paul Sopier — chairman, P.O. Box 178, Dunkirk, 14048. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting project comes together — and hopefully, for a future full of more trout for Dunkirk Harbor.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Oct. 31: Last day of NYS southern zone turkey season.

Nov. 1: Leftover Deer Permits go on sale; check dec.ny.gov for details.

Nov. 4: Niagara Musky Association, monthly meeting, 7 p.m., Eldridge Club, 17 Board St., Tonawanda.

Nov. 4: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 years old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

Nov. 8-9: NYS Western Zone waterfowl hunting, military days, see syllabus for bag limits/rules.