4th Chautauqua Lake Falleye Classic is Saturday

Warm weather turns up the metabolism of fish — they eat more often. That should be good news for a comfortable and productive Chautauqua Lake walleye fishing contest. Leading the way is the experienced and certified NYS Guide Dillan LaBarbera, who is the tournament director for the fourth annual Chautauqua Lake Falleye Classic this Saturday at the Prendergast Boat Launch near the New York State Fish Hatchery.

Angler registration and boat inspection will begin early at 5:30 a.m. All boats may weigh up to five walleye, but note that not more than five walleye can be kept in the boat at any one time. Winners will be determined by weight, and the tiebreaker will be the length of the fish. The cost to enter the tournament is $125 per team. The top three places pay out with the cash booty at 90% of the registration fee based on a minimum of 10 fishing teams.

Teams must return to the launch with the boat pulled or waiting to exit the water by 2:30 p.m. Boats returning late will be penalized 1 pound per minute — don’t be late. The weigh-in will begin at 2:45 p.m. For more information, contact LaBarbera at 716-499-7545.

Contest participants may find fish shallow at sunrise, but the deeper waters may also provide good action. Popular deep-water walleye fishing areas include the kettle holes off Mission Meadows, the Chautauqua Institution Bell Tower, Prendergast Point, Long Point and Warner Bay. The shallower south basin provides extensive weed beds and productive shoals with popular fishing areas near Greenhurst and Cheney’s Farm. In the middle lake, Bemus Bay and Tom’s Point are famous for fish catches of multiple species. While the deeper north basin stratifies during summer with a thermocline around 30 feet, it may still be there. Anglers can also check the weed beds in the shallow bays and across the entire Mayville end. Fishing along the weed edges can be highly productive, promising an exciting and successful fishing experience.

The Fourth annual Chautauqua Lake Falleye Classic will kick off this Saturday at Prendergast Boat Launch. Registration begins at 5:30 a.m.
Submitted Photo

Note that the daily walleye bag limit in Chautauqua Lake is five fish per angler, with a 15-inch minimum size. The daily bag on Lake Erie is six walleye per day per angler. For this contest, remember that only five fish are allowed in the boat at any one time. Conservation is not just a rule, it’s a commitment we all share in this contest, ensuring the sustainability of angler support for fishing in the future.

The NYSDEC Prendergast Point Launch is located on the west side of the lake off Route 394 at Prendergast Boulevard. It features a hard-surface boat launch with parking for 50 cars and trailers.

Gotta love the New York outdoors.

CALENDAR

Sept. 14: Fourth annual Chautauqua Lake Falleye Fishing Classic, Prendergast Point Boat Launch, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to all. Register on site. Contact Dillan LaBarbera for info: 716-499-7545.

Sept. 14-22: New York state Early Antlerless 2024 Deer Season (firearms allowed), check specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).

Sept. 15: Deadline for waterfowl hunting applications to Oak Orchard/Tonawanda WMAs. Visit NYSDEC online.

Sept. 21: Chautauqua lake musky contest, NY Muskies – Chapter 69, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lakewood Community Park, $40 entry for members, $50 nonmembers; pre-register online at https://nymusky.com.

Sept. 21: Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY, 1-Day walleye tournament, 12:01 a.m. to noon. Weigh-in noon-2 p.m. at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., at the clubhouse. $45 registration. Info: Paul Sanchez, 716-228-6520.

Sept. 21-22: WNY Walleye Association, Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, Contact Ron Kucinski: 716-545-5925, or email: kucinski1293@gmail.com.

Sept. 28: National Hunting and Fishing Day

Sept. 28: Hanover Fish & Game, three-bird fall fun shoot, Registration 8 a.m., Shooting starts at 9 a.m.; 780 Overhiser Road, Forestville. Open to the public.