This week your humble host ushers in the start of meteorological spring, although astronomical spring is still a couple weeks away. With the changing seasons some dates of importance, such as March 15, the close of walleye season, or April 1, the opening of inland Trout Season. Several regulatory proposals are still sitting in limbo, with 2 fishing proposals potentially set to take effect April 1.
While we wait to see whether walleye will reopen on the 1st Saturday May 8th, or on May 1, we do know that May 1 starts the spring turkey season, with the special youth hunt happening April 23-24 , 2022. Hunting hours are from 1.2 hour before sunrise to 12:00 PM, high noon. Season is for bearded birds only, or Toms and Jakes, and hunters are limited to two birds per season. You must report your harvest within 7 days of the date of kill.
Even though NY had the safest hunting season on record in 2021, the calendar has flipped and HRSIs don't just occur during deer season. Remember, never stalk a turkey, as chances are you're stalking another hunter. Avoid wearing red, white and blue colors. Don't use a turkey gobble call, the fighting is over, the mating has begun, and they want to hear a new hen.
Meanwhile ice fishing and snowmobiling appear to be coming to an abrupt end, as weather patterns continue to bring warm, wet weather, eating rapidly away at the ice cover. We may still have another week on lakes like Chautauqua, but the season is coming to an end and fast.
Winners of the 2022 Chautauqua Lake Ice Derby were as follows:
No entries for largest Crappie
White Perch:
We had one entry (well one angler entered two fish, but only one per angler counts), Tom Cermak, angler #6 of Northeast, PA 13.5 inches!
Sunfish
This category also had one entry, from Bill Lescynski, Jr., angler #3, from Ashville, NY,. 7 inches
Silver Bass
2nd Place entry 15.75 inches, angler #6, Tom Cermak
1st place entry 16.5 inches. Angler12 John Stow, of also of Ashville, NY
Yellow Perch
3rd Place – honorable mention was an 8.5 inch fish entered by angler #4, Jay Seekings, Ashiville, NY
2nd Place – 10.5 inches – angler 6, Tom Cermak
1st Place – Angler 3 - Bill Lescynski, Jr with an 11.25 inch fish
Walleye
3rd Place – honorable mention was Angler 6, Tom Cermak 24.5 inch
2nd Place – 25.5 inches – angler 12 John Stow
1st Place with a 26” beast, angler 3 Bill Lescynski, jr.
And another state record appears to have fallen, this time in Delaware, with a 7 lb 13 oz chain pickerel was caught by Gerry Mack
And while NYers gear up for spring steelhead fishing, Washington State has closed the spring season across the coast due to far lower numbers than expected in the returns to the streams this year.
This, and so much more inside this week's episode of We Love Outdoors with Rich Davenport! Follow this podcast today!
