Submitted Photo Ice fishing Chautauqua Lake near the narrows, this hungry monster musky provided quite a winter memory for WNY ice-fishing expert, Randy White, who was simply providing a “How-to Ice Fish 101” for his friend “Ben” from Java Lake when the big fish inhaled his bait. Unharmed, the fish was released to the 10-inch hole to swim another day.

When the calendar clicks over the last day of the first month of the year, something magical happens. There are new ads in the outdoor periodicals for outdoor sports shows around the state and country, and many of us begin to think about using up some of that well-frozen venison in our freezer storage. But you know, there is more to consider. In New York State, the trapping and small game hunting seasons are in their prime if you can break away from the 2025 special treat of thick ice and walking on water to fish. What a special year.

It is an especially special year if your wood pile was well stocked before the big snowfalls and freezing wind from the North these last few weeks. Gotta love that dry heat and deep bone-warming temperature from a wood stove that simply drives out aching bones and arthritis. Add a cup of homemade chicken soup for a few days through the week and a bowl or two of venison chili in between, and the season of catching colds also disappears. There are so many good things to consider when you live the life of an outdoors sportsmen.

For small game hunters that are not done with the silence of the winter woods, in our southern zone, the cottontail rabbit season, pheasant season, ruffed grouse, and the hunting season for gray, black and fox squirrels is open through Feb. 28 (2025). There is no closed season for red squirrels. Wolves have been spotted in New York but are protected. The furbearer hunting and trapping season for coyotes is open through Mar. 30 with no bag limit and no restriction on hunting hours, day or night. Many sportsmen are curious why there is a closed at all, there are so many coyotes that are a problem for village homeowners losing their pets across the state. The season for such furbearers as raccoons, red and gray foxes, opossums and weasels ends on Feb. 15.

Trappers and hunters who assist with furbearer management activities are eligible to receive a special patch from the NYSDEC. You can receive this patch if you turn in an incidentally trapped animal, a roadkill fisher, marten, bobcat, otter, or weasel. Or if you report a violation that results in a conviction, provide data, assist with a research project, or promote furbearer hunting or trapping. The carcasses are used for biological data, training, education, and outreach. Just contact our local regional wildlife office at 716-851-7200.

Despite the recent short warming spell last weekend, the ice on many inland lakes has been reported at 12 inches and more. Ice anglers are relishing this incredible year for dropping a line to fish through the safe ice. Even on Lake Erie, where most anglers traverse a walking trail from Hamburg, there is excitement in the air about that possibility this week. The strong winds last week caused the lake to amass huge mountains of broken ice that refroze and created a mini-rocky-mountain range out there. While most anglers who plan to fish Lake Erie use an ATV, doing so under those semi-unsafe mini-mountain conditions is sketchy for safety. If you go, please be careful.

Elsewhere, there is much safer ice in Mayville on Chautauqua Lake and on the Buffalo Small Boat Harbor. A great army of anglers in Buffalo and in Mayville have found great catches of crappie, some anglers with a bucketful. Anglers there have been enjoying this fishing treat in their heated ice huts – portable tent-like structures. Other panfish such as bluegills, sunfish and yellow perch – some sizable yellow perch, too, have been caught using small jigs tipped with live grubs, minnow parts and waxworms.

Ice anglers are enjoying the hardwater in all our inland lakes. Silver Lake, Honeoye Lake, Conesus Lake, Cuba Lake, Rushford Lake, Allen Lake, Harwood Lake, Case Lake, New Albion Lake, Cassadaga Lake, Bear Lake and Findley Lake are among the favored lakes by anglers.

Finally, we must address the Sports Show Season. Locally, the NY Musky Expo just ended at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel last Sunday. The Greater Niagara Fishing Expo will be held from Thursday, Feb. 13 to Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls, right across the street from the Casino. The expo features a host of educational seminars for all skill levels, including for kids, on topics such as fishing, kayaking, and more. There will be nearly 200 vendor booths, including the latest fishing gear, rods, reels, and electronics. There will be discounts for veterans, first responders, police, firefighters, and EMT’s. More details next week.

At the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, last Sunday was “Election Sunday” for the board and officers. Check in there to see who was elected. Also, last Sunday, the Bear Lake Rod and Gun held their monthly meeting where President Rudy Abersold shared details for the Archery Shooters Association Championship coming up at the club in July. This event will be a special treat for WNY archers.

Gotta love the outdoors!

Outdoor Calendar:

Feb. 6: WNY Walleye, monthly meeting, 6:30PM, K of C, Hamburg.

Feb. 9: WNY 3D Archery, League shoot, open to the public, this week at Collins Conservation Club, 2636 Conger Rd., Collins, $15, kids 12 and under free, info: 716-863-7342.

Feb. 13-16: Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls, visit www.niagarafishingexpo.com.

Feb. 18: Erie County Fisheries Advisory Board, monthly meeting, 7PM, Bison City Rod & Gun, 511 Ohio St.

Feb. 22: Fisherman’s Flea market, WNY Walleye, K of C, Hamburg, Chris Kempf, 716-400-9258. NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.