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
431 East 3rd Street, Erie, PA
Chuck Murray Chief Biologist PFBC’s Lake Erie Unit will give us the
fishing forecast for the summer. Captain Eric Guerrein of Lake Shore
Towing and Marine Services will talk about water levels.
One Week Early Because of Memorial Day Last Meeting until September 23
KEY WEST
BOATS
1540 West 26th St.
Erie, PA 16508
(814)459-0666
814/825-3456
Presque Isle Auto
Paint & Collision
owners
ICE • POP • CHIPS
ONLY $60 PER SEASON FOR S.O.N.S. MEMBERS
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
David A. Brennan
City Council Member
Ken Handman, Owner
2730 W 12th St. • Erie, PA 16505
814.450.4152 or 814.838.0300
www.porterieboatworks.com
Erie’s Largest Full Service Boat Repair
GEM CITY
OUTDOORSMEN
CLUB
6701 Van Camp Rd.
Fairview, PA
814- 474-3126
814- 474-2492
since 1967
The City of Erie
City Hall
Paid for by Friends of
Dave Brennan
626 State St, Rm. 104
Erie, PA 16501-1128
814-870-1291
dbrennan@erie.pa.us
Silkscreen Unlimited
317 Peninsula Dr. • Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-2850
Your Ad Could
Be Here!
contact S.O.N.S.
for details.
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
Presque Isle Passage CAMPGROUND
ULTRACRAFT
FISHING
BOATS
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
MISTY HARBOR PON-
814/833-3233
Tohatsu Outboard TOON BOATS
Finncraft
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
Gary & Dottie
Heubel
UNLIMITED ON-THE-WATER TOWING
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
LICENSED - INSURED - ACCREDITED
AUTO SALES, INC.
1500 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16501
BEST LITTLE
LURE HOUSE
IN PA
453-4302
KEGS & TAPS
WOLVERINE PARK MARINA
& SHIP’S STORE
Fishing Report:
Attention! This month’s meeting is
(814) 453-6387
VHF CH 16
34 STATE ST
ERIE, PA 16507
3102 CHERRY STREET
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
Port Erie Boat Works
Nice perch are being caught from
the piers. Crappies are being taken in Stink Hole. Bass
boats are active in the Bay. There’s still some trout in the
Waterworks ponds. Perch are also showing up in 42’ of water
off of the Sunoco Cribs
www.lakeshoretowing.com
Beals-McMahon
Painting
“A Replenishing Species”
THE POLISH FALCON’S CLUB
DOCKAGE - STORAGE
TACKLE - BAIT - ICE
SERVICE - GASOLINE
FISHING LICENSES
BOAT SALES
(814) 725-8244
Fax (814) 725-2957
Volume 10 • Issue 5
MAY 2013
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MONday
May 20th 7:30 P.M.
SOUTH ERIE BEER
North East Marine
Services, Inc.
• Specializing in Automotive Repair •
• Tune ups and Carburetor Service •
• Fuel Injection Cleaning • Dayton Tires •
• Towing Service • PA State Inspection •
John Fries Paul Fries Bill Goodwill
John (Scotty) Szkotnicki
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
Your Ad Could
Be Here!
contact S.O.N.S.
for details.
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
Your Ad Could
Be Here!
contact S.O.N.S.
for details.
PRESQUE ISLE
MARINA FUEL SERVICE
814-833-8981
gas, diesel, boating supplies, ice,
snacks
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
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
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE # 5
MAY 2013
Bucket
The S.O.N.S 2013
membership badge
commemorating the 200th anniversary of
the battle of Lake Erie is available at all of
our meetings or events or by mailing $2 to
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, PO Box 3605, Erie,
PA 16508, with your membership form and
money, 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
2013
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
$5.00 ADULT
State
Date
___________
Zip ________________
_______________________________
$4.00 SR. CITIZEN (over 65)
$3.00 JR. (under 16)
WCO BROOK TOLBERT HONORED AT
PFBC MEETING
(PBBC News Release)
Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Brook Tolbert received the
2012 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Officer of the Year
award. The PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement reviews nominations
for this award in participation with the Northeast Conservation Law
Enforcement Chief’s Association. Law enforcement activities, public
relations and outreach, environmental protection, professional skills,
job performance, and special accomplishments are key aspects in
determining the award winner.
Hammermill Smoke Stacks
LANDMARK SOON TO VANISH
“Where are you fishing?” squelch! “50 feet of water off of the
Hammermill Stacks” squelch! won’t be heard on channel 68 on the
marine radio by Lake Fishermen anymore. The stacks are scheduled
to be demolished by the company that recently purchased the former
power house property from MTR Gaming. The old Hammermill
powerhouse is already gone and the smoke stacks are next.
Officer Tolbert currently serves the Western Erie District and has a
varied patrol area with many fishing and boating responsibilities. He
has an excellent understanding of the laws and regulations pertaining
to the protection of Commonwealth resources. Since his assignment
to the Western Erie District he has been responsible for multiple
steelhead enforcement actions resulting in high profile prosecutions as
well as commercial fishing investigations. He was recently recognized
for these efforts after the successful prosecution of two commercial
license holders who were illegally using gill nets in a closed area.
Officer Tolbert also has an outstanding relationship with other agencies
which has led to successful apprehension and prosecution of Title
30 violators. These outside agencies include the Pennsylvania State
Police, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, and Pennsylvania Liquor
Control Enforcement.
S.O.N.S Volunteers stop to pose for a group picture before serving lunch to cleanup volunteers
S.O.N.S. CO SPONSOR PRESQUE ISLE CLEAN UP
Thirty four S.O.N.S. members prepared and provided lunch for over 500 volunteers who participated in the 57th Annual Presque Isle
Clean Up. This is the second year in a row that our volunteers cooked hundreds of Smith’s Hot Dogs, serving them in Stroehman;s
Bakery Buns along with 600 bags of UTZ potato chips. They also served over 600 hot drinks including hot chocolate and coffee.
The cleanup was co-sponsored by the S.O.N.S. and the Presque Isle Partnership as well as several local businesses.
UPCOMING EVENTS
For as long as I can remember we have used the stacks as
a navigation aid. They will go the way of other forgotten Erie
landmarks.
PFBC ANNOUNCES FISH FOR FREE DAYS
(from web site))
May 27, 2013 (Memorial Day) & July 4, 2013 (Independence Day)
have been designated as fish for free days. Fish-for-Free Days allow
anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish with NO FISHING
LICENSE REQUIRED to fish on all Pennsylvania’s waterways on the
designated days. All other fishing regulations still apply. Two dates
are typically chosen
Officer of Year – (from left) Board President Steve Ketterer,
WCO Brook Tolbert, Executive Director John Arway,
Law Enforcement Director Corey Britcher
WANTED:
14’ boat trailer for a Starcraft boat. Call Steve at 814-823-9383
WANTED:
Old photographs of Erie’s Waterfront-Ships, Boats, Buildings,
Fishing and Fishermen, Railroads, etc. Call Jerry at 814-452-6291.
I would like to borrow and scan them for my slide presentations.
The U.S. Border Patrol boat with triple 300 hp motors coming up on
plane while leaving the Erie Channel passing an inbound bass boat.
In less than two minutes it was out to the harbor buoys.
Mon. May 20th 7:30 General Membership Meeting
(note: one week early because of Memorial Day) at the
Polish Falcons Club (Last meeting until September)
Sat. May 25th 9-12 Perry Monument E.P.S.F.A. Kids
fishing event Volunteers needed
Saturday May 25th Perry 200 Celebration Parade (See
the float built by the S.O.N.S. float committee)
Sat. June 1st 10-1 Sarah Reed Fishing Program
Waterworks Pond Volunteers needed
Thurs. June 13th 10-2 Millcreek Summer Rec. Day 1
Cabin# 4 PISP Volunteers needed
Thurs. June 20th 10-2 Millcreek Summer Rec. Day 2
Cabin# 4 PISP Volunteers needed
Thurs July 11th 10-2 Millcreek Summer Rec. Day 3
Cabin# 4 PISP Volunteers needed
Wed. July 17th 10-1 Mt.Carmel School Summer Camp
PISP Volunteers needed
Sat. July 26th 10-2 Discover Presque Isle Family
Fishing event Waterworks pond Volunteers needed
Thurs. August 1st 9:45-12 Villa Day Camp PISP
Waterworks Pond Volunteers Needed
Mon. August 5th 5-? Lawrence Park Fishing Club
S.O.N.S. Volunteers’ Picnic
Thurs. August 8th 10-2 Millcreek Summer Rec. Day
4 Cabin# 4 PISP Volunteers needed
YEARLING LAKE TROUT STOCKED
INTO LAKE ERIE
Yearling lake were stocked into Lake Erie at the North East
Marina.
Stocking took place on April 15th, 16th and 18th. Total stocked
in PA was 80,000 yearlings. USFWS also stocked 80,000
in Ohio during the week of April 8th ( at Catawba Island and
Fairport ) and 40,000 out of Dunkirk NY during the week of
April 22.
The lake trout came from the USFWS Allegheny National Fish
Hatchery (ANFH) in Warren. These were the first yearlings
stocked from the ANFH since 2005 when IPN (infectious
pancreatic necrosis) was found in the facility and forced
depopulation and decontamination. It is believed that the IPN
may have been introduced by a bird from the Allegheny River
(adjacent to the hatchery). The USFWS invested about 1.6
million dollars in the facility to improve biosecurity.
Below are photos that were provided by Chuck Murray Senior
PFBC biologist Lake Erie Unit.
PFBC TO KEEP HATCHERIES OPEN
EWPPA COMPLETES DREDGING PROJECT
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission voted at a
special public meeting on March 25 to keep its Oswayo and
Bellefonte hatcheries open for at least two more years while
the agency pursues a long-term funding source through the
General Assembly.
The board of commissioners voted in January to close these
two hatcheries for financial reasons. Since then staff and
Commissioners have met with members of the General
Assembly to try to identify opportunities to secure long-term
funding sources. As a result, the commissioners voted to
keep the hatcheries open until these funding opportunities
are identified.
NEW YORK STATE LOWERS
PRICE OF FISHING LICENSES
The current license process is confusing due to the
number, type and potential combinations of hunting and
fishing licenses. In addition, fees are presently higher
in New York than in many neighboring and comparable
states. The proposal would:
• Reduce by 11 the # of licenses available while maintaining all current hunting and fishing opportunities
• Reduce the price of a fishing license by 14%
from $29 to $25
• Make fishing licenses valid for one year from the
date of purchase
• Create a non-resident license structure which is the
same as the resident license structure
• Retain discounted licenses for youth, seniors,
military disabled and Native Americans.
Previously, a fishing license was only valid from the date
of purchase through the end of the season, and anglers
who bought a license in mid season did not get a full
year’s worth of use. Under the new plan, anglers will
get a full year of fishing no matter when they purchase
the license.
Table below shows the prosed changes. Note the one
day non-resident license for $10. PA needs to do the
same.
License
(Top) PFBC and USFWS crews are stocking yearling Lake
Trout into Lake Erie at the North East Marina.
(Bottom) Photo of Yearling Lake Trout.
PLEASE
DON’T LITTER.
Current
NY State Residents
Annual Fishing License
$29
Annual Hunting License
$29
Annual Bow Hunting
$21
Annual Muzzle Loading
$21
Non Resident
Annual Fishing License
$70
Annual Hunting License
$140
Annual Bow Hunting
$140
Annual Muzzle Loading
$140
One Day Turkey
$50
One Day Fishing
$15
Proposed
$25
$22
$20
$11
$50
$100
$40
$30
$20
$10
Low water levels and sediment has prompted the Erie Western Pennsylvania Port Authority to undertake a $60,000.00 dredging project
at several locations along Erie’s waterfront. The Entrance to Lampe Marina, the East Ave. boat launch ramp and the East canal basin
are all being dredged by Lake Shore Towing and Marine Services. The dredge material is being taken by barge to the South pier for
dewatering and analysis where it will be determined what to do with the material. Access to the South pier is being rerouted around
the dewatering site. There is no problem accessing the pier.
BROWN TROUT GET CLIPPED
Mike Hosack PFBC’s
Lake Erie Unit Biologist
and a number of guys
from 3CU, WCC and
PASA (adipose) fin clipped
about 40,000 yearling
brown trout (13,000 from
WCC clipped were clipped
in March and 27,000 from
3CU were clipped last
week).
If you feel that you have caught a large fish in any of the above categories, simply take any of the above listed
fish to the following Entry Stations. There it will be measured and the date and time of entry will be recorded
along with your name, address and phone number. You will be given a receipt for your entry. You keep the fish.
You will be notified if you win. Prizes will be awarded to those who catch the longest fish in each category and
division.
LE
ET’S GO FISHING!
Enter the Perry 200 Fishing Challenge---
AS
Summer Long Fishing
Event
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie Members will be eligible for a special drawing. (See the last panel)
It’s Free!
Official Entry Stations:
Sponsoreed by the Perry 200 Commission
and the
S.O.N..S. of Lake Erie Fishing Club
The Perry 200 Commission and the S.O
O.N.S. of Lake Fishing Club invites you to join in the celebration of the
200th anniversary of Admiral Perry’s victory at the Battle of Lake Erie that took place on
o September 10th, 1813
by enjoying a summer of fishing in Eriee County, Pennsylvania’s Freshwater Fishing Capital.
Overview: The Perry 200 Fishing Chaallenge is opened to all Pennsylvania Licensed Anglers and all kids 15
years and under. The contest will havee two divisions Senior (16 and Older) and Jun
nior (15 and under). The
participants may enter a fish in any or all of 20 categories of species. All of the fish that are entered must be
caught in public accessible waters in E
Erie County Pennsylvania. The largest fish by
y length in each species
category will determine the winner of eeach category. One winner will be chosen in each
e
division by species
category. There are no entry fees. Thhe fish being entered must be taken to official participating contest
registration stations where they will be m
measured and recorded. The longest recorded en
ntry in each category will
be announced on September 3, 2013.
Details:
When- The Perry 200 Fishing Challenge will begin on Memorial Day (May 27, 20
013) and end on Labor
Day (September 2, 2013).
Who may participate----All Pennsylvannia licensed anglers.
Where will it take place--- All public aaccessible waters of Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Rules: All existing fishing and boating llaws of Pennsylvania must be strictly followed.
Entry Fees: Free
Registration: Each fish will be registereed when brought to official registration station.
Divisions: Senior (Over 16 years of age))
Junior (15 years and under)
Winners: in each category will be deteermined by overall length. In the case of entries of the same length the
winner will be determined by the earliesst date and time of entry.
Ties: All ties and disputes will be settledd at the discretion of the contest judges.
Prizes: Merchandise and merchandise certificates
Eligible Fish:
Blue Gill
Catfish
Northern Pike
Steelhead Trout
Over------
Brook Trout
Crappie
Rainbow Trout
Sucker
Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Rock Bass
Sunfish
Bullhead
Largemouth Bass
Sheepshead
Walleye
Carp
Muskellunge
Smallmouth Bass
Yellow Perch
North East Marina
11950 East Lake Rd
North East, PA 16428
East End Angler Bait
and Tackle
4702 East Lake Rd.
Harborcreek, PA 16511
Poor Richard’s Bait &
Tackle
6821 West Lake Rd
Fairview, PA 1641
Elk Creek Sports
10543 Old Lake Rd.
Lake City, PA 16423
Le Clair Point Bait &
Tackle
12 East Dobbins
Landing
Erie, PA 16507
B.A.C. Bait & Tackle
317 Peninsula Dr.
Erie, PA 16505
Edinboro Outdoors
211 Mill St.
Edinboro, PA 16412
Trout Run
Bait & Tackle
7490 West Lake Road
Fairview, PA 16415
ARE YOU A S.O.N.S. of LAKE ERIE MEMBER?
If you are a member of the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie your non-winning Perry 200 Fishing Challenge entry form
will be entered into a special consolation drawing for those who did not win any of the other prizes. The
consolation drawing will be held at the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie General Membership meeting on Monday,
September 23rd at the Polish Falcons Club, 431 East 3rd St. Erie, PA where more prizes will be awarded.
If you are not a member, Join Now!, using the form below, and become eligible for the Perry 200 Challenge
Consolation Drawing.
More info call 814-453-2270
On the web at sonsoflakeerie.org or Email sonslakeri@aol.com
Join today!
Mail the application to:
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie
PO Box 3605
Erie, PA 16508
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Membership fee per year
Adult $5.00
Seniors $4.00
Junior under 16 $3.00
Name_______________________________________
Address_____________________________________
City________________________________________
State___________ Zip______________