Sustained freezing temperatures have produced favorable ice fishing conditions at numerous local sites.

Chautauqua Lake is a local favorite and has several inches of quality ice over most of the lake along with additional “white ice” on top as well as several inches of snow cover. There were reports of some open water last weekend as well as some unsafe ice conditions so use caution and check for ice conditions always before heading out.

Zach, my contact from Hogan’s Hut/Stow, reports that smaller-sized yellow perch are the most active species, especially at the north end of the lake. There has been limited walleye action out of Long Point. Captain Larry Jones also commented that, earlier in the week, he connected with about 60 perch fishing out of Ashville, but kept only 10. Jones also offered that there is some steelhead activity at the Lower Niagara River, but the action has been slow due to dirty water.

Another comment offered by Jones is that there was a report of a few anglers busting through the ice cover and getting out on Lake Erie earlier this week. The anglers reportedly jigged up several lake trout off the tip of Van Buren Point. There have been several stories recently published about the success of lake trout in Lake Erie and how they often come into shallow water after the fall.

The Lake Erie water temperature is hanging around 33 degrees, but that could change after next week’s warm-up. Jones commented that recently he counted 21 ice huts at the Buffalo small boat harbor with perch and smelt providing most of the action. The Dunkirk Harbor has some ice cover as well as open water. No reports on anyone attempting to go out on the ice, although a few anglers managed to punch a hole through the ice off the city pier and fished without success.

Jim Markham at the Dunkirk-based DEC fisheries station commented that the area creeks are iced up, as well as Barcelona Harbor. There is no ice fishing action from that area either. There are reports of anglers heading further north for ice fishing, including Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake.

Primitive Patriot Outdoors sports sent this photo and story about the winner of its annual deer contest. Kenneth Rowe was the winner of the adult category with his 9-point buck that had a rack scoring 138 § inches, Ken shoots a Halon bow cranked up to 70 pounds with gold-tip arrows and schwacker 100 grain broadheads. Ken was hunting on Oct. 12 over his buck magnet food plot that finally produced some forage apples. The action was slow, but around 4:40 p.m., a buck came out of some thick bedding and worked his way towards the apples. The distance was 42 yards, but the hunter practices at ranges of 60 yards and closer.

While the buck fed, he was soon joined by a doe. The buck didn’t present a shot so the hunter used a grunt call which got the buck to move closer. The arrow was launched and Rob heard the hit, but didn’t see where. Waiting for dark, the hunter looked for signs and smelled guts.

He decided to contact Deer Search, and Dick Schrantz responded the next morning at 7 a.m. Dick’s dog was shown the arrow which was left on site and in short order the buck was found 60 yards away. The buck had a perfect exit wound just a little further back than preferred.

Congratulations to both Rob and Mr. Schrantz and his companion.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family of Jo-Jo Cybart who recently passed away. Joel was also an active member of Deer Search and will be missed.

If you have a story/photo you would like to share call 366-1772 or 785-3659.