1. sports
2. fishing

S.O.N.S. of LAKE ERIE,
SAVE OUR NATIVE SPECIES, INC.
PO BOX 3605
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA 16508
TIME DATED MATERIAL
A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization
NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
ERIE PA
PERMIT NO. 480
North East Marina
11950 East Lake Road
North East, Pa. 16428
“The Bucket” published monthly
by the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie
Richard A. “Mickey” McMahon
Proprietor
• TRANSIENT DOCKAGE
• BOATING SUPPLIES
• NAUTICAL CHARTS
• BOOKS AND GIFT ITEMS
454-3676
34 STATE ST - ERIE - PA - 16507
(814) 874-0698
219
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MONday April 28th 7:30 P.M.
814.450.4152 or 814.838.0300
www.porterieboatworks.com
Erie’s Largest Full Service Boat Repair
GEM CITY
OUTDOORSMEN
CLUB
431 East 3rd Street, Erie, PA
6701 Van Camp Rd.
Fairview, PA
Meteorologist Tom DiVecchio from WJET TV
will discuss weather related issues.
814- 474-3126
814- 474-2492
since 1967
1540 West 26th St.
Erie, PA 16508
(814)459-0666
The City of Erie
City Hall
Paid for by Friends of
Dave Brennan
Silkscreen Unlimited
1701 West 8th St
Erie, PA 16505
814.453.4543
800.724.1683
fax 814.455.3911
www.silkscreenunlimited.com
Screen Printing • Embroidery • Advertising Specialty
Promotional Products & Awards
626 State St, Rm. 104
Erie, PA 16501-1128
814-870-1291
dbrennan@erie.pa.us
317 Peninsula Dr. • Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-2850
West End Hardware, LLC
1912 Liberty Street
Erie, PA 16502
Jeff Earll, Jr.
Phone: 814/452-2342
Fax: 814/461-1289
Cell: 814/881-4569
westendhardware@truevalue.net
Presque Isle Passage
CAMPGROUND
Just 500 feet N of I-90 (Exit 18)
Full Hookups • Pull-Thru Sites
30 & 50 AMP Service • Modern Restrooms
Laundry Facilities
Cabins • Store • Rec Room
ULTRACRAFT
FISHING
BOATS
MISTY
HARBOR
PONTOON
BOATS
814/833-3233
713 West 26th Street
Phone 455-1007
www.thomasleeprinting.com
JOHN FRIES
3027 WEST 12th ST • ERIE, PA 16505-3892
(814) 833-7749
DRAFT WAGON perfect for
Graduations • Stags • Weddings
USED CARS & TRUCKS
Jeffrey Howell
Owner
owners
City Council Member
AUTO SALES, INC.
1500 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16501
Gary & Dottie
Heubel
Tohatsu Outboard
David A. Brennan
Port Erie Boat Works
Ken Handman, Owner
2730 W 12th St. • Erie, PA 16505
The ice is gone and perch
and crappies are biting. Floating ice is still present on
the Lake. Hopefully we will be able to get out on to the
Lake by July.
THE POLISH FALCONS CLUB
ONLY $70 PER SEASON FOR S.O.N.S. MEMBERS
WOLVERINE PARK MARINA
& SHIP’S STORE
Fishing Report:
BEST LITTLE
LURE HOUSE
IN PA
UNLIMITED ON-THE-WATER TOWING
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
LICENSED - INSURED - ACCREDITED
Beals-McMahon
Painting
“A Replenishing Species”
Presque Isle Auto
Paint & Collision
(814) 453-6387
VHF CH 16
34 STATE ST
ERIE, PA 16507
DOCKAGE - STORAGE
TACKLE - BAIT - ICE
SERVICE - GASOLINE
FISHING LICENSES
BOAT SALES
(814) 725-8244
Fax (814) 725-2957
Volume 11 • Issue 4
APRIL 2014
814/825-3456
www.lakeshoretowing.com
North East Marine
Services, Inc.
John Fries Paul Fries Bill Goodwill
John (Scotty) Szkotnicki
• Specializing in Automotive Repair •
• Tune ups and Carburetor Service •
• Fuel Injection Cleaning • Dayton Tires •
• Towing Service • PA State Inspection •
Erie’s New Perch Fishing Head Boat
“The O’Danny O”
Get $3 off with this coupon
Docked in the East Slip, foot of State St
Bait included
Call 814-450-3571 for more info
On line at http://Tinytimfishing.com
PETER S. HOWARD
CAI,AARE, S/CRPA
Realtor • Appraiser • Auctioneer
Lake Erie Custom Charters
Office (716) 769-7300
Fax (716) 769-7341
Cell (716) 499-7447
Toll Free 1 (888) 876-4999
The ultimate Lake Erie experience...
Welcome aboard!
6821 West Lake Road
Fairview, PA 16415
814-474-5623
10438 Main St, #1 Alexander Findley Square
PO Box 496, Findley Lake, NY 14736-0496
findleylakeproperty@gmail.com
www.findleylake-property.com
12 East Dobbins Landing Erie, PA 16507
(814) 459-4440 • Fax (814) 459-4441
ABigImagination@aol.com
We are here for the fishing community.
We strive to keep emerald shiners on hand every day.
We offer a broad selection of fishing tackle.
We offer ice and various items at our concession area.
We offer on the water dock-side boat parking.
We are going to be your preferred Bait & Tackle center.
Edinboro outdoors
Sporting Goods
Ken
Chernicky
Buy • Sell • Trade
Jim
Buschak
211 Mill Street • Edinboro, PA 16412
(814) 734-4727 • (814) 734-4927
www.edinborooutdoors.com
Monday, Friday, 9 - 8 • Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, 9 - 6 • Saturday, 9 - 5
Party
Boat
Fishing
Aboard
$32 Adults • $27 Seniors • $22 Kids
$3 off with this coupon
All bait is included
details: 814/881-7611
www.EdwardJohnPerchFishing.com
WORKING TO IMPROVE FISHING AND THE FISHERY OF LAKE ERIE FOR 31 YEARS SINCE 1981
The
VOLUME 11 • ISSUE # 4
APRIL 2014
Bucket
Official Publication of the S.O.N.S.
S.O.N.S. PHONE NUMBER 814-453-2270 (ALSO FAX NUMBER)
sonslakeri @aol.com • www.sonsoflakeerie.org
ICE OUT PARTY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS
Sixty-two hardworking S.O.N.S. volunteers entertained
and fed over 400 adults and 90 kids at our Ice Out party on
Sunday April 13th at the Erie Shrine Club. In spite of the
fact that the temperature reached 81 degrees on a mostly
sunny day, attendance was pretty good.
nice toys. There was a special drawing for all the kids and
ladies present. Each one of them was given a prize. Each
kid was also given a free fishing pole. There was a fly tying
demonstration. The day concluded with our Fantastic Fin and
Fur Drawing. See some photos below taken at the event.
There were plenty of things to do including face painting
and a photo booth for kids as well as a live auction by Paul
Holtz, a Chinese auction for merchandise and another
Chinese auction with 52 gift certificates for prizes. There
also was a Bid Six wheel, pull tab games and a mug game.
The kids had their own free auction that featured some really
It would take at least another thousand words to report and
acknowledge the dedicated work that was performed by
each and every one of our sixty-two volunteers who made
the Ice Out a great success. I do not know how we could
have done it without their hard work. All I can say is great
work! Thank You!
FIN AND FUR DRAWING WINNERS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Prize
Choice of ATV or Lund Boat
Lucky Penny Walleye Charter
Ciao’ Spring Lake Trout Charter
Family Trip on the Edward John
$250 Gift Cert Poor Richard’s
GPS by Janitors Supply
12 Ga. Benalli from Church & Murdock
22 Marlin Winschell Bros Landscaping
$200 Fish USA Gift Cert
Membership to Lake Shore Towing
$250 Gift Cert Hertel & Brown Therapy
Walleye trip Lake Erie Custom Charters
Name
Miranda Winkler
Joe Latone
David Rutkowski
Joe Sessamen
Bob Cooney
Chris Sandstedt
J.L. Lewandowski
Mark Sprickman
John Hartman
Emily Maloney
Gordon Baldwin
Mark Sprickman
City
Erie, PA
Jamestown, NY
Waterford, PA
Erie, PA
Corry, PA
Augusta, GA
North East, PA
Erie, PA
Erie, PA
Erie, PA
Girard, PA
Erie, PA
Ticket
10968
20550
03962
03271
14067
12345
22187
10194
24669
01698
12980
10195
DISCOUNTS OFFERED
TO S.O.N.S. MEMBERS
Chris LeClair from LeClair Point Bait and Tackle which is located at 12
East Dobbins Landing announced that S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie members will
receive a fifty cent per dozen discount if they show their SONS membership
card at the store.
Other local businesses offering discounts to our members are Poor
Richard’s Bait and Tackle, Fish USA, O Danny O and Edward John perch
fishing boats and Lake Shore Towing.
Show your SONS membership card and save some money.
2014 MEMBERSHIP PIN
If you would like to have a 2014 S.O.N.S.
member pin, you can pick one up at one of
the upcoming events or our meetings. If you
would like one mailed to you, send $2.00 to
the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie PO Box 3605 Erie,
PA to cover mailing costs.
JOIN
A
FRIEND
TODAY!
MAIL TO: S.O.N.S., PO BOX 3605, ERIE, PA 16508
RECORD OF MEMBERSHIP
Name
Address
City
 Renew  New
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________
Phone
2014
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
$5.00 ADULT
State
Date
___________
Zip ________________
_______________________________
$4.00 SR. CITIZEN (over 65)
$3.00 JR. (under 16)
WEATHER BUOY TO BE DEPLOYED IN EARLY MAY
The Regional Science Consortium will take delivery of the new
weather buoy on or about April 30th. It will be deployed into Lake
Erie five miles off shore from Walnut Creek on or about May 1st.
Funding for the buoy came from a grant from the Great Lakes
Observing Systems (GLOS) for the Weather, Water, & Wave Buoy
System. The buoy will be collecting the following data:
Weather - Air Temperature, Wind Speed, Max. Wind Speed,
Relative Humidity, Barometric Pressure, Daily Rain, Rain Duration,
Rain Intensity, and Solar Radiation; Water - Water Temperature,
Specific Conductivity, pH, Turbidity, and Dissolved Oxygen; Wave
- Wave Height, Wave Period, and Wave Direction
GREAT WEATHER DRAWS
TROUT FISHERMEN
April 12th brought with it some of the best
weather in many years. This factor brought out
hundreds of fishermen to the lakes and streams.
The banks of Cascade Creek in Frontier Park
were lined with father and son teams of trout
fishermen. The Waterworks ponds on Presque
Isle had over 400 people lining the shores. The
floating platform on the East pond was set aside
for kids only fishing. Twenty-seven S.O.N.S.
volunteers partnered with Presque Isle State
Park Naturalists to help over a hundred kids that
came to the platform to fish. Over 20 trout were
caught as well as some crappies and other pan
fish. What a great day!
For
Sale:
Gas powered
ice auger,
Nordic
King, 8” cut,
$100.00
Call Don
814725-3069
It will also have a video camera. The data will be collected and
updated every 20 minutes and can be accessed at the Regional
Science Consortium website, the GLOS website, and through the
National Weather Service for the nearshore forecast for the waters
of Lake Erie off of Erie, PA. The National Weather Service will report
this data on their website, NOAA weather radio, and their Dial-ABuoy program. In addition, the buoy is also outfitted with a video
camera that will collect 30 minute clips of the Lake Erie conditions
and update the RSC website every hour. This buoy system will fill
observation data gaps in the nearshore region of southern Lake
Erie, and provide critical meteorological and physical data to support
National Weather Service and local meteorological forecasts. This
data is also of great importance to those that recreate on Lake Erie
(i.e. boaters, sailors, anglers, swimmers)
How to access the data: • Regional Science Consortium (www.
RegSciConsort.com) • Great Lakes Observing System (http://glos.
us/data-access/boaters-forecast) • National Buoy Data Center
(http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/) • National Weather Service Radio
• Website http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/gtlakes/clemz.
htm • Dial-A-Buoy! http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/dial.shtml
The Regional Science Consortium received a Grassroots Grant
from Boat U.S. in the amount of $10,000 to be used to educate
boaters on the new Lake Erie buoy. The grant was awarded based
on voting by interested individuals on line.
BLASCO LIBRARY SHOWCASES ERIE’S
FISHING HERITAGE
SONS Director and Fin & Fur Chairman
Bob Zawadzki with ATV Winner Miranda Winkler.
Photo by Tom Pruzenski
It is a rare occasion that the winner of a major
drawing is present. This year’s Ice Out Party was
different. Thousands of tickets were purchased
for our Fin and Fur drawing over a six month
period yet the winner of the grand prize was
there on Sunday April 13th.
(Left) overall view of fishing exhibit at the Blasco Library, Right (L to R) PFBC Director
Bureau of Fisheries Leroy Young, PFBC Commissioner Ed Mascharka, and PFBC Exec.
Dir John Arway look on while SONS Pres. Jerry Skrypzak shows off the fishing display.
On the request of the staff and director of the Erie County Blasco Library we prepared
an exhibit showcasing Erie’s fishing heritage which is on display in a 30 foot long
display area on the library’s first floor. It displays photos of Erie’s commercial fishing
industry as shown in Fortune and Fury, a book by Jerry Skrypzak and Dave Frew. It
also exhibits books, literature and material from the PA Fish and Boat Commission.
When the name of the winner was called,
Miranda Winkler was in the crowd. The excited
winner came to the stage to a round of applause
from the audience. She announced that she
chooses the ATV instead of the Lund boat.
Another winner was also present. Chris
Sandstedt, who was visiting from Augusta
Georgia came to the Ice Out with friends. He
bought his tickets at the door and won the 6th
prize, the GPS donated by Janitors Supply. His
ticket # was 12345.
Ice fishing and the history of the fish hatcheries in Erie County are in the display
along with the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie hatchery operation. There are also some panels
featuring the S.O.N.S. and our work. There are examples of our pins, logos, hats
and T shirts. There are also 3 original paintings by local artist Gerald Thompson
depicting the life cycle of the trout.
Upper Right Corner, some of the crowd at Cascade
Creek; other photos taken at Waterworks Pond.
The exhibit was put together with the help of Jack Klapthor, Larry Lipinski, Ed Kissell,
Bob Zawadzki and Jerry Skrypzak. Some of the photos are on loan from the Erie
County Historical Society.
LOCAL BUSINESSES SUPPORTED THE ICE OUT PARTY
Thanks to the generosity of over 100 local businesses and individuals, the Ice Out Party was a great success. They donated
hundreds of items that were awarded as raffle and door prizes. We owe them a debt of gratitude and we ask that you review
the list below and support those businesses that support us. Thank them for their support.
Gerlach’s Garden Center
Giant EagleGrainger
Supply
H & K Donuts
Hallman Chevrolet
Hallman Hyundai
Hallmark Store
Hertel & Brown
Physical Therapy
Hill’s Market
Hilltop Beer
Home Depot
Horstman & Sons Store
Hyatt’s Restaurant
Jakes on the Park
Janitors Supply Co
Joe Root’s Grill
Johnston’s Nursery
Kerr’s Tire Corner
Lady Kate Cruises
Lake Erie
Custom Charters
Lake Shore Towing
LeClair Point
Bait & Tackle
Longhorn Steakhouse
Lori’s Wild Ridge
Restaurant
Lucky Penny Charters
Max & Erma’s
Mazza Winery
Miller Brothers
Garden Center
Moe’s Southwest Grill
New York Lunch
Nickel Plate Mills
O Danny O
O’Charley’s
Outback Steakhouse
Park Tavern
Patti’s Pizza West
Patty Smith
Alex Power Sports
Anchor Marine
Anderson Vacuum
Art’s Bakery
BAC Bait & Tackle
Bee Kind Winery
Bianchi Honda
Bistro 26
Buffalo Wild Wings
Burger King
Butch’s Place
Captain Pete Alex
Champion Ford
Cheddar’s
Chico’s Travelers Inn
Chipper’s Tavern
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Sat. May 3 8-1 Harborcreek
Township Trout Fishing at
Whitford Park Volunteers
Needed
Wed. May 7 9-2 Maritime
Center Student Fishing
Programs Waterworks Pond.
Volunteers needed
Thurs. May 8 9-1Earth Action
Youth Summit Waterworks
Pond Volunteers needed
Wed. May 14 9-2 Maritime
Center Student Fishing
Programs Waterworks Pond.
Volunteers needed
CASCADE CREEK CLEANED AND STOCKED
On Saturday April 5th forty-four S.O.N.S. volunteers, 10 members of Troop 13 Cub and Boy
Scouts from Elmwood Presbyterian Church and 5 members from Troop 58 in Waterford spread
throughout Frontier Park and Cascade Creek to clean out trash and litter in preparation for the
annual stocking of the creek. The annual clean-up of Cascade Creek has been a tradition for
over twenty years. In 1991 we joined the Adopt a Stream program with PFBC and partnered
with faculty and students from Strong Vincent High School. The stream at that time was a
major polluter of Presque Isle Bay depositing tons of sediment and chemicals annually.
Since then through our efforts, PA DEP, CZM, EWPPA, LEAF and PA Sea Grant millions of
dollars have been spent to mitigate these problems. Today the water quality has improved
to the point that makes the stream suitable for stocking. It provides an excellent fishing
opportunity for inner city residents.
On Friday April 11th brown trout were stocked into the stream in preparation for Trout Season.
More trout will be stocked on May 9th in Cascade Creek, Waterworks Ponds, Fairview gravel
pits and 20 Mile Creek. If you would like to help, meet the stocking truck at the Niagara boat
launch on Presque Isle State Park at 2:00 PM.
Mon May 19 General
Membership meeting (Note:
This is one week early
because of Memorial Day)
Sat. May 24 9-12 EPSFA
Kids Fishing Derby at the
Perry Monument Volunteers
Needed
Thurs. May 29 10-1 B-Wet
Sea Grant kids fishing
program Waterworks Pond
Volunteers needed
WANTED:
Old photographs of Erie’s
Wa t e r f r o n t - S h i p s , B o a t s ,
Buildings, Fishing and Fishermen,
Railroads, etc. Call Jerry at 814452-6291. I would like to borrow
and scan them for my slide
presentations.
Upper two rows shows Cascade clean-up crew at work
and lower row the stocking of the Creek on April 11th. Stocking photos by Tom Pruzenski
PERCH AND WALLEYE LIMITS SET
Church & Murdock
Electric
Ci Ci’s Pizza
Ciao’ Fishing Charters
Complete Angler
Court Yard Winery
Dairy Queen
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Eagle Hotel
East End Angler
Eat ‘N Park
Elk Creek Sports
Erie Sports Store
Erie Western PA
Port Authority
Etzel Barber Shop
Ferrier’s Hardware
Firebirds Restaurant
Fish USA
Folly’s End Fly & Tackle
Gander Mountain
Gary K’s Auto Sales
Polished Hair Design
Poor Richard’s
Bait & Tackle
Presque Isle Collision
Serafini’s Restaurant
Sherwin-Williams Paint
Presque Isle Wine Cellars
Ray Wakely’s R.V. Center
Red Lobster
Rosebud Flower Shop
Sabo’s Pizza
Sandy Miller Avon
Scallywags Pirate Ship
Scott Enterprises
Seagull Marine
Sheriff John Loomis
Shirley’s Country Kitchen
Sky Nails
Smith Provision Co.
Stan’s Garden Center
Syd’s Place
T.R.E.C.
Texas Roadhouse
Tractor Supply
Trout Run Bait & Tackle
U-Freeze Wine Slush
U-Haul
Valu Home Center
Walmart West
Wegman’s
Wendy’s
Westmoreland Paint
Winschel Bros.
Landscaping
If anyone was missed
please let us know at
814-453-2270.
(News release) HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 4) – The
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today
announced that the 2014 creel limit for Lake Erie yellow
perch will remain at 30 per day and the creel limit for walleye
will stay at six per day.
“This year’s assessment showed that both yellow perch and
walleye populations remain stable,” said Chuck Murray, the
PFBC’s Lake Erie biologist. “Based on this, the creel limits
are being held at the 2013 limits.”
The PFBC adopted a regulation in 2012 which established
adaptive creel limits for walleye and yellow perch based on
the annual quotas established by the Lake Erie Committee,
which consists of fisheries managers from Pa., Ohio, N.Y.,
Mich., and Ontario, Canada.
Under the regulation, the PFBC sets daily creel limits for these
species by April 15 each year.
“Adaptive fishing regulations are based on the most recent fishery
assessment results and are better aligned with the current status
of the yellow perch and walleye stocks,” Murray added. “This
regulatory flexibility gave fisheries managers the ability to change
daily harvest limits prior to the onset of the summer boat fishing
season on Lake Erie.”
Remember walleye season opens May 3rd.
Note: PFBC’s Lake Erie Unit biologist, Chuck Murray will
give his annual fishing forecast at our May 19th General
Membership meeting