The expo will feature a lineup of experts including lure-makers, rod-makers, leader line experts and musky managers from Prendergast Hatchery. These are the people who know muskies best and are willing to share their knowledge with you. Lake Erie Region 9 fishery biologists and charter captains, who are among the expo celebrities, will also be there to share musky-catching secrets.

The breathtaking excitement of fishing for big fish lives and grows here at home in Chautauqua County. Nearby waterways with musky include Chautauqua Lake, the Cassadaga Lakes, Findley Lake, and other nearby waterways, these are magical fishing places for anglers near and far to fish for these monster freshwater fish. Muskies are the largest freshwater sportfish in New York state.

According to the careful record-keeping of the NYSDEC, muskies triple in size from age 1 (10-12 inches) to age 4 (30 inches), and they grow long (more than 50 inches) and heavy in weight (more than 50 pounds) as they age. Anglers say these enormous fish are powerful and mean. They chew up wooden lures, break fishing rods and snap fishing lines with ease, and tall fish tales share that they attack fingers and toes dangling from lakeside docks where these fish swim. The New York state record musky weighed 69 lbs-15 oz; that’s a big fish. To get that big, muskellunge are heavy feeders. They are predators, helping maintain a healthy fishery balance and a diverse ecosystem while providing unique opportunities for anglers to catch what many consider to be the ultimate freshwater trophy sportfish.

Muskellunge are managed in New York to provide anglers with the opportunity to catch large fish and to maintain ecologically sustainable and balanced fish populations.

Professor and director of the Thousand Islands Biological Station on Governors Island, Dr. John Farrell is the keynote speaker at the Musky Expo this weekend. He will discuss Conservation and Management of Muskellunge on the St. Lawrence River on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. Submitted Photo

Dr. John Farrell, professor and director of the Thousand Islands Biological Station on Governors Island, is the keynote speaker and will provide details on the “Conservation and Management of Muskellunge on the St. Lawrence River” on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. His presentation may offer eye-opening ideas to anglers wishing to learn more about the significant fish traits of musky and the fishery changes that have occurred in recent decades.

On the same day at 2 p.m., Captain Hans Mann (Buffalo Harbor Outfitters) will share his proven fish-catching skillset of tiny secrets that make giant fish look for your lures. Anglers looking to catch a musky will relish their time as he discusses Eastern Great Lakes Musky details. Hans fishes all the musky waterways in Western New York and beyond and is also renowned for his wood carving skills. Regionally, in the art world, he is “Hans the Carver” (@hans_the_carver), who creates fish replicas found in exclusive art studios worldwide.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Feb. 1: Kinzua Dam 16th annual eagle watch, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors center, Warren County, Pa.; free entry all ages.

Feb. 1-2: NY Musky Expo, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, 10 Dunham Ave., Celoron. Over 70 booths, live lure demo’s, lure swap night, more. Kids 12 and under are free. Info: 716-489-2800

Feb. 2: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, annual election Sunday, members only, 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk. 716-366-8836.

Feb. 2: Bear Lake Rod and Gun, monthly meeting, 4 p.m., 4391 Cassadaga-Stockton Road, Stockton. Info: call Rudy Abersold, 716-397-9717.

NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.