The windward bays, with their abundant baitfish, are a magnet for black and white crappies in the spring.

A simple bobber, split-shot, and thin-wire hook is perhaps the best live bait rig to catch crappies, while tiny jig heads of 1/64 to 1/8 ounce adorned with a 1-1/2 to 2-inch plastic tube tail is arguably the best artificial bait. Some anglers use a tiny bobber and a weighted fly rig, casting with a spinning rod. These all work when the fish are biting. Anglers, whether in boats or from the shore, traverse the lake’s beauty in search of the hungry crappie that makes a delectable dinner meal.

On the east side of the lake, boaters can launch from Long Point State Park (from Route 430) and the DEC Bemus Point Boat Launch (from Lakeside Avenue), while shore anglers can access the water’s edge at Midway State Park and Cheney Farm. Cheney Farm is part of DEC Chautauqua Lake Fish and Wildlife Management Area, with more than 3,400 feet of shoreline access and parking.

On the west side of the lake, DEC Prendergast Point Boat Launch (from Route 394) also offers shore fishing and a hard surface boat launch. Boaters can also launch from Lakeside Park in Mayville, Lakewood Community Park in Lakewood, Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Jamestown and McCrea Point Park in Jamestown. Shore anglers can fish from Tom’s Point (nearly 2,000 feet of shoreline) and Stow Farm (1,100 feet of shoreline), both are part of the DEC Chautauqua Lake Fish and Wildlife Management Area. The Ashville Bay Marina site next door to Chautauqua Reel Outdoors Bait and Tackle Shop is another great spot for spring crappies, as are the canals at Vukote. Don’t forget to ask for permission to access if you are on private property.

Photo courtesy of SouthernPro.com Colorful tiny plastic tube tails are among effective crappie catchers.

Angler circles have long voiced their concerns about the notable lack of once influential weedbeds, particularly in the south basin of Chautauqua Lake. Their disappearance has been via the regulated use of highly effective herbicide applications. Anglers argue that many young-of-the-year fish species have difficulty surviving due to the lack of emerging weed growth. Yet, in the view of many angler circles, fishing in spring is excellent. Their concerns are not just about the present but about the future of Chautauqua Lake and its ecosystem.

The revised Freshwater Wetlands Act that took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, brings a significant ray of hope for the concerned angler groups. Chautauqua Lake meets one of the unusual “importance criteria” of the new law because it provides drinking water for some of the surrounding area and wetlands in and adjacent to the lake. According to a recent explanation from the NYSDEC, wetlands have numerous functions and benefits that no other ecosystem can provide, such as preventing soil erosion and flooding. In these times of increased severe storms, this function is particularly important. Wetland vegetation purifies water by filtering sediments and absorbing pollutants from surface waters and is home to hundreds of animal and plant species. Not to mention that they act as a nursery for young wildlife and fish, and are an important home to notable freshwater mussels and turtles. The NYS Legislature realized the need to enhance protection for wetland ecosystems to ensure that New Yorkers will benefit from their functions for many generations to come.

With so many participant groups using Chautauqua Lake, the changes ahead regarding the new wetland’s changes will be of high interest. Mutual group involvement and understanding of all the related matters will be fundamental for the related ecosystem. Let’s all be friends.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

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

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 24: NYSDEC Lake Erie Angler Outreach meeting, 6-9:30 p.m., Woodlawn Beach State Park Lodge, Blasdell.

April 28: Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen annual banquet and fundraising dinner, Lakewood Fish & Game. For tickets, call Frank Shoenacker, 585-406-5764.

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