The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with an informal discussion followed by slide presentations beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by DEC’s Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit and Region 9 Fisheries offices, topics include the Lake Erie fishing forecast for 2025, fishing survey results from 2024 that include fishing performance results, fish contaminant monitoring, consumption advisories, and news of cormorant control.

The NYSDEC Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit is based at the Dunkirk Fisheries Station on the eastern shore of Lake Erie and manages the fish resources within the lake by monitoring the status of fish populations and evaluating the need for specific management actions. The Lake Erie DEC research vessel is aptly named “Argo” and is used to conduct annual assessments and surveys of the Lake Erie fish populations. New York cooperates with other jurisdictions on Lake Erie to manage fish populations that roam widely as a shared resource throughout the lake. Communication is coordinated between jurisdictions by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission Lake Erie Committee. The GLFC’s LEC is comprised of representatives from Lake Erie’s five fishery management agencies (Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada) and uses a consensus-based decision-making process. LEC Lake Erie Fish Community Goals and Objectives Report guides the group. Joint management decisions regarding harvest policies are made annually. Some New York anglers are hoping for an increase in the daily walleye bag limit.

“Anglers look forward to this event every spring because it provides an excellent opportunity to engage directly with the DEC biologists who manage the Lake Erie fishery,” said Steve Hurst, DEC chief of fisheries. “As always, DEC is committed to the sound management of Lake Erie and Upper Niagara River fisheries to maintain high-quality angling opportunities and the associated economic benefits.”

Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River rank among New York state’s top fishing destinations, especially for walleye, smallmouth bass and steelhead. More than 900,000 angler days occur on these waters, and an estimated value of more than $17 million supports the local New York economy.

Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher Lake Erie walleye are among top focus for anglers who fish Lake Erie from the New York state shoreline — anglers who fish for all species in Lake Erie are looking forward to the NYSDEC update report next week.

Not counting smallmouth bass and steelhead contests, 14 walleye and/or yellow perch fishing tournament events are set for the 2025 Lake Erie summer calendar. All of these are from the Chautauqua County shoreline, including the Cabela’s National Walleye Tour event from Dunkirk Harbor on Aug. 7-8. This professional walleye angler TV competition provides free public access to weigh-in events. It’s going to be an exciting year.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

April 12: Erie County Federation of Sportsmen, annual banquet, $45. Info: 716-674-5944. Kloc’s Grove, 1245 Seneca Creek Road, West Seneca.

April 12: Niagara Musky Awards Banquet, Pearl Street Grill, $70, Contact Scott McKee, 716-225-3816, email: scotthenrymckee@yahoo.com.

April 12: WNY Walleye, monthly meeting, 9 a.m., Knights of Columbus Hamburg.

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