Bass Season Opens ALBANY, NY -- The special black bass season is in effect on Lake Erie and its tributaries up to first impassible barrier only. Anglers can use natural/ live bait and keep one bass per day, with a minimum size of 20 inches during the special bass season. Bass fishing on all other waters in western New York is by catch and ... Read More

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N.Y. -- The spring turkey season has gotten off to a good, productive start. The season is open for the entire month of May during which you can only hunt until noon each day. I believe they end it at noon to lessen the chances of killing a hen. The guys I talked to told me that the turkeys have been responding well to ... Read More

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N.Y. -- Opening day of trout season was last Sunday and the fishing was good for those not scared off by the weather. Several friends of mine were out on Sunday and they all caught fish. It’s pretty good timing for the season to open since some of the other fishing has slowed down a bit. The steelheads are starting to ... Read More

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N.Y. - Last week’s unusually warm weather really boosted the fishing conditions. Well I assume that is what brought the smallmouth bass in to the tributaries so early. During a normal year, smallmouths don’t come in to the streams until May. I am curious to see if they retreat back into the lake now that the water ... Read More

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NY — “This region is filled with thousands of acres of grape vineyards, great scenic vistas with the blue waters of Lake Erie in the background, wonderful natural resources, and so much more that it deserves a guide book to introduce and orient visitors”, says Andy Dufresne. And that is just what he has produced, a ... Read More

WESTFIELD, NY — There is a place in Chautauqua County where nature's bountiful harvest gives way to sweet creations called Vinewood Acres. Guests can visit for a tour, enjoy a walk along a scenic nature trail or stop by the Sugar Shack gift shop for delightful tastings. The experience is great for families, couples and anyone else interested in ... Read More

WESTFIELD, NY — Osprey Charters gives locals a whole new level of opportunity to explore their county. Those who feel like they have seen it all will be introduced to a whole new world below the surface. Plus, it brings people from far and wide to the county to see secret treasures that the great Lake Erie has hiding in its depths. Jim Herbert, ... Read More

During today’s markup on the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (H.R. 2583), Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, offered amendments which seek to protect the Great Lakes. “The Great Lakes are vital economic and environmental resources for the communities I represent and the ... Read More

NY Congressman Asks Ohio Governor to Veto Legislation. JAMESTOWN, NY — Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27), a member of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, sent a letter urging Ohio Governor John Kasich to veto legislation in his state that would allow businesses to remove 5 million gallons of water a day from Lake Erie. Higgins, whose ... Read More

CHAUTAUQUA, NY — What would you like to learn today? That is a question posed by the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau in an effort to learn more about what types of learning experiences visitors are looking for while traveling, on vacation, or just for leisure. Steeped in the 137-year old tradition of lifelong and vacation learning exemplified ... Read More