Eastern Lake Erie, Out of Buffalo's Small Boat Harbor

[T man]

I was helping a buddy pull his sailboat out for the season on 10/7, and talked to a gentleman from the NY DEC, who was surveying / interviewing anglers. I asked him what the walleye fishing has been doing lately. (Aparently the DEC surveys launch ramps, from Barcelona to Buffalo.) He said it has been VERY slow, for the last month.

On another note, I went out today 10/9, (from Buffalo's Small Boat Harbor) taking advantage of a rare day with little wind. I didn't even try for walleye; and trolled over Seneca Shoal, for small mouth bass. In 90 minutes, I had 4 throw the lure while jumping, and boated 3 nice smallies, including a 20 in., 3.5 lb. fish.
I was trolling a Husky Jerk 125 ft. back, and a Berkley Crankbait (deep diver) 100 ft. back.

Back at the ramp, I talked to a guy who fished off of Woodlawn Beach, jigging small spoons for Smallies. He said he caught about 20 fish in 3 hours. I didn't get any other details (depth, etc.).

A great day on the water!
T man

[erie addict]

Perhaps you can help me with a rumor, Several guys (2 of the guys write articles for several fishing/musky publications) in my musky club have warned us to think twice about using the harbor ramp. It seems thier vehicles have been vandilized while they were out fishing. broken windows and windshields, air out of tires, that kind of thing. They say that if you have out of state plates, you are asking for trouble. Can this be true?

[T man]

Erie Addict: I probably launch out of the Small Boat Harbor (Buffalo) about 10 - 12 times a season. I have not noticed any of this kind of vandalism; however, because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it isn't happening.
As you probably know, on Sat. / Sun. / & Holidays, they make the rigs w/ empty trailers park in the far ("C" ?) lot. There is virtually no people around down there, unless it is a boater / angler dropping off or picking up his tow rig. The NFTA shuttle bus is supposed to be running, on the weekends, to take you back and forth from the "C" lot. I'll have to ask around, as far as the rumor you heard.
T man

[kliph]

Also, remember you can launch in the river at Tonawanda.
It would be a 15-20 Min. run to the harbor. But much safer.

[Gilligan]

Stonehead..it may be a different ramp but I launched out of Tonowanda and got ticketed for not having a permit from the city. There was an extremely small sign at the launch that was nearly impossible to see.

[kliph]

Gilligan, You were at the wrong ramp. You were down river too far.
That is a ramp for residents only in Tonawanda. Try Isle View, just up river from where you were. It`s free. Also the ramp at the foot
of Sheridan dr.(Rt.325)is closer to the harbor.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=4758737&e=669255&s=24&layer=DRG25&size=l&u=0

[Gilligan]

Thanks.

[Macktavish]

I never liked the fact that you had to park your trailer about a mile from where you launch. If the vandalism did occur I'm sure it's just a few punks that have no real rhyme/reason for smashing a window. I doubt that anyone -especially fishermen- would target out-of-state vehicles. In any we should all keep our eyes open wherever we fish to protect each other equipment. That's the best defense.