There are a lot of yellow perch out in Lake Erie and all it will take to cash in on this abundant harvest is a reliable boat and weather suitable to get out to deep water.
Before the winds blew in on Tuesday, perch anglers were hooking up in 64 to 70 feet straight out of Dunkirk and out of the mouth of the Cattaraugus Creek. The fish out of Dunkirk have been reportedly running on the smaller side compared to the "Cat," but small fish are in abundance and make for some fine eating if you are willing to clean them. Think of it as opening clams or peeling green shrimp. Take what you feel like cleaning and let the others grow. Salted minnows and live ones, when you can get them, will do the trick.
Rick Miller, in Irving, reports that a few trout have been caught at the mouth of the "Cat" and further up towards the Route 5 bridge. Other local streams are still low.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek
The Department of Environmental Conservation Fisheries crew and savvy anglers report there is an abundance of yellow perch in Lake Erie and now is the time for the fish to go on the feed.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed that junior hunters ages 14-15 will be able to hunt deer during the special youth firearms deer season, which will be held over the Columbus Day weekend this year from Oct. 6 thru Oct. 8.
This youth deer hunt will take place in both the northern and southern zones, with the exception of Long Island. Junior hunters (ages 14-15) with a big game hunting license will be eligible to take one deer of either gender with a firearm when properly accompanied by a licensed and experienced adult.
Junior hunters may use a deer management permit or deer management assistance program tag for an antlerless deer or, during the youth firearms season only, they may use their season tag to take a deer of either gender.
Westchester County, and parts of Albany and Monroe counties, will allow the junior hunters to use bow hunting equipment only during the youth hunt weekend.
DEC Commissioner Joe Martens stated that bow season will remain open during this special youth hunt, but urges archers to put aside their archery equipment and be a mentor for a youth's first firearms deer hunt. More details of the youth firearms deer hunt and rules for junior hunters and their mentors are available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html. The DEC also offers special opportunities for junior hunters (ages 12-15) for waterfowl, wild turkey and pheasants. Log on to the same DEC website at for information about these other programs.
Calendar:
Ken Hollander and Willie Fedrick will resume the free fly tying clinics on Monday evenings at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club starting at 6 p.m. NOT 7 p.m. this Monday. All equipment, vises and materials are provided FREE. You are invited.
Waterfowl hunters are advised that a waterfowl information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge maintenance building. It's open to the public.
The Westportland Baptist church members are proud to announce that they will host their annual "Sportsmans Dinner" on Friday, Sept. 28. The dinner, which will be a wild game buffet, featuring moose, swiss steak and other delights, will take place at the Westfield Fire Exempt Hall located on Bourne Street, in Westfield. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. This year's event will feature Steve Chapman, who is an accomplished hunter, speaker, song writer and an award winning vocalist. Chapman will share his hunting knowledge and experience with the audience and treat you to some of his award-winning songs. The entire event is FREE, but you must make reservations by calling the WPBC at 753-3812. See you there!
Clymer Conservation, located on Route 474, in Clymer, will host an archery course on Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Students must pre-register at the club on Sept. 15 from 8-10 a.m.
Hunter education courses (gun) will be held:
On Sept. 21 from 6-10 p.m., returning on Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. until done at the Harmony Conservation Club located on Route 474, Panama. Students must pre-register by e mail: gun-bow-safeteach@hotmail.com
On Sept. 21 from 6-10 p.m., returning Sept. 22 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Falconer Rod & Gun Club located on Buffalo Street Extension, Falconer. Students must pre-register on Sept. 7 from 6-7 p.m. at the club.
Falconer Rod & Gun Club located on the Buffalo Street Extension in Falconer, is scheduled to host a trapping course on Sept. 26 & 28 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Both days. Two-day attendance is necessary for certification.
The Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club has scheduled a two-day trapping course on Oct. 18 & 19 from 6-10 p.m. You must pre-register by phone by calling Roger Witt at 595-3418.
There is a two-day trapping course at the Westfield Fish & Game Club on Oct. 5 from 6-10 p.m. returning on Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Register at the first class.
Fly tying classes will resume on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m., starting Sept. 10 at the Sinclairville Free Library. Classes will continue until May. Called "Country Kids on the Fly" the group allows anyone aged 8-100 to learn how to tie their own fishing flies. All tools and materials are provided free. Adults are welcome and encouraged to tie flies also, so fly fishing can become a family hobby. Parents must accompany their kids to the first class as important papers will need to be filled out. For more information, call 962-3635 or 485-3919 or log on www.countrykidsonthefly.blogspot.com.
The Gowanda Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Fall Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Cattaraugus Creek. Sign-in gets under way at 5 a.m. at the Gowanda Moose Club, located on Aldrich Street. The tournament begins at sunrise and is a catch-and-release event following DEC rules and regulations, with tournament personnel on site to measure and weigh-in the catch. There will be awards, door prizes and food for the participants at the Moose Club after 3:30 p.m. For more information, log on to www.gowandanychamber.org, or call 532-2834 or 532-2288.
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
