Tournament Director Zen Olow shared the Con Club Tournament trophy with the 96 fishing teams on hand during the final contest day earlier this month. Each team is comprised of 2 to 5 anglers per boat.
Photo by Forrest Fisher
At the Great Lakes Experience VIP Fishing Day two weeks ago, held at Chadwick Bay at the Clarion Hotel Pavilion, Captain Jim Steel and six charter captains, in collaboration with the NYSDEC, showcased the record-breaking fishing season on Lake Erie this year.
The unprecedented walleye fishing on Lake Erie has sparked enthusiasm among anglers of all skill levels. Chautauqua County Executive Paul Wendell, Jr. underscored the significant contribution of our fishing activity to the local economy. He expressed gratitude to the Erie County and Chautauqua County Fisheries Advisory Boards and the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association for sponsoring the VIP Fishing Day event, and reiterated their commitment to preserving and expanding access to the Lake Erie resource. Wendell also outlined the proactive Lake Erie-related initiatives planned for the next year, which are expected to further boost the local economy.
One week later, in a press release from Albany, NYSDEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar highlighted the record-breaking fishing season, saying, “Angler reports and DEC data indicate fishing for walleye in Lake Erie and Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario have been outstanding since the beginning of the season. In fact, we may have yet another record-breaking year of fishing on hand, so I encourage all anglers to get on the water and experience the excellent fishing these lakes have to offer.”
In recent years, Lake Erie’s remarkable walleye fishing has been driven by an unprecedented run of hatching success over the past decade. That trend continued into 2024, with June walleye fishing setting a new record based on DEC’s 37-year Lake Erie angler survey.
In addition to record-setting walleye fishing, anglers are having success catching smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and tributary steelhead this year. New York stocks nearly 200,000 steelhead into the Lake Erie tributaries each year; the yellow perch and smallmouth bass fisheries are supported entirely by natural reproduction.
Fishing on Lake Erie with a USCG-certified Charter Captain is safe, fun, exciting, and can fill your freezer with a boat-load of fish fillets in support of the food budget.
Photo by Forrest Fisher
Charter Captain Jim Skoczylas, Vice President of the Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York, said, “Right now, there are some of the greatest opportunities on Lake Erie for novice and expert anglers to catch walleye. We have seen a tremendous number of fish being caught over the past several weeks across the lake due to our strong fishery. As of today, multiple year classes of fish are being taken and the bite has been very consistent. Whether you are bottom bouncing in Buffalo, pulling boards or dipsey divers, or running riggers in open water, there are plenty of walleye to be had. If you are considering going out for walleye, right now is a great time to put quality time on the water.”
Captain Jim Steel, President of the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, said, “Fishing on Lake Erie is truly an amazing experience. The fish population is thriving and keeps getting better every year. Our captains are on the water almost every day and are experiencing fishing we’ll be talking about for years. Now is the time to enjoy a fun-filled day of fishing.”
Steel is also the outdoor TV star in the many outdoor video shows presented on streaming and cable TV venues by the Steel Outdoors Group, promoting the region.
The premier fishing opportunities on the Great Lakes also align with the Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative, which promotes physical and mental health by encouraging New York kids and families to take a break from their digital devices and enjoy outdoor recreation and social gatherings. The record-breaking fishing season on Lake Erie is a perfect example of the kind of outdoor activity this initiative aims to promote, and it’s an experience that everyone should have the chance to enjoy.
Aspiring anglers interested in fishing Lake Erie are encouraged to venture out and bring friends. To find a USCG-certified Lake Erie Charter Captain, visit https://comefishlakerie.com. Hiring a Lake Erie Charter Captain is a cost-effective way to get the greatest fishing experience and enjoy the fun of this incredible fishing year going on right now. To find a licensed tributary fishing guide for steelhead fishing in our Chautauqua County Lake Erie tributary streams, visit https://www.nysoga.org. The best fishing in our local tributaries begins when the Lake Erie water temperature dips into the 50s, usually during September. It lasts all winter long!
Gotta love the outdoors.
Outdoor Calendar:
Aug. 24: NYS Hunter Safety Course, Springville Field & Stream, 8AM-5PM, 8900 Chaise Rd., Springville. Register online: https://dec.ny.gov.
Aug. 29: NYS Hunter Safety Course, Ripley Rod & Gun, 6PM – 9:30PM, plus one additional half day, 9820 Rod and Gun Club Rd., Ripley. Register online: https://dec.ny.gov. Must attend both days.
Aug. 31: Labor Day Sporting Clay Shoot, NSCA registered event by choice, Hanover Fish & Game, 780 Overhiser Rd., Forestville. Registration starts 8AM, shooting begins 9AM. Info: https://hanovercalys.com.
Sep. 1: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club family picnic, members only. 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk.
Sep. 1: NYS Squirrel season opens in WNY (gray, black, fox).
Sep. 6-7: WNY Walleye Association Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, Contact Ron Kucinski: 716-545-5925, or email: kucinski1293@gmail.com.
Sep. 9-22: NYS Early Antlerless 2024 Deer Season, check specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
Sep. 15: Deadline for waterfowl hunting applications to Oak Orchard/Tonawanda WMAs. Visit NYSDEC online.