Bill Hilts Jr.

Lockport

Outdoor Promotions Director with Destination Niagara USA and outdoor writer with The Buffalo News. Host of the Outdoor Beat TV Show on Spectrum/lctv.net.

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Articles

The Fishing Beat: Perch fishing heats up on Lake Erie

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

Just like the weather, Lake Erie ice doesn’t seem like it wants to leave anytime soon. Things are looking more encouraging, though. Perch fishing is hot on Lake Erie. Tips for yellow perchCapt. Joe Fonzi of Thumbs Up Charters is a perch-catching machine. In three days this past week, he guided customers to 550 tasty treats. Here are some tips that he shares for anyone looking to cash in on some Lake Erie gold. “Use your electronics, it’s the ticket.
Scattershot: State of Lake Erie presentation set for April 24

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

State of Lake Erie set for April 24 at WoodlawnThe annual State of Lake Erie presentation, coordinated by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, has been set for April 24 at Woodlawn Beach State Park’s Lodge in Blasdell. The meeting will begin with an informal discussion followed by presentations on 2024 fishing performance, 2025 fishing outlook, 2024 survey results, fish contaminant monitoring, consumption advisories and cormorant control.
Outdoors calendar: When is the youth turkey hunt weekend?

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

April 13 – Spring Trap League at Boston Valley Conservation Society, 9624 Zimmerman Road, Boston, will hold a 10-week, 300-target contest. Sign-up times are from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday and from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Teams, individuals and practice shooters are welcomed. Targets may be ATA registered. For more info, call 335-4111. April 14 – DEC virtual waterfowl meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants can register by contacting DEC's Bureau of Wildlife at [email protected] or calling 518-402-8883.
Bill Hilts, Jr.: A close look at the incredible fisheries that are New York's Great Lakes

2 weeks ago | outdoornews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

New York’s Great Lakes are a success story in every sense of the word – my favorite bodies of water for nearly seven decades. I grew up on these waters and watched them grow into world class fisheries along the way. Some of them needed a little help from fish managers, while others simply needed a nudge from Mother Nature. They have come a long way. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com.
The Fishing Beat: Yellow perch action takes off in Cattaraugus Creek

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

We are getting closer to the pulling of the ice boom as the ice field in Lake Erie continues to diminish. Ice breakers may be needed to assist with the thicker ice remaining. Look for an announcement soon. Decent perch action has started between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point. Lake Erie and tributariesYellow perch action is starting to take off in Cattaraugus Creek reports Bob Rustowicz of Cheektowaga.
Bill Hilts Jr.: Lower Great Lakes office works for native species, habitat

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

When it comes to native fish species such as lake sturgeon, lake trout and brook trout, the Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation office located in Basom (part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and located within headquarters of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge), is an important component to ongoing research and habitat work. The office is part of a network of field stations across the country dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing our natural resources.
Scattershot: Who will be honored by Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs?

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

Niagara County Federation 2024 award winnersThe Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs will hold its annual conservation awards banquet April 12 at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 with awards to follow. The cost for a ticket is $50. Contact Chris Schotz at 716-260-7462 for a ticket or more information. Tickets are available through Sunday.
Outdoors calendar: When does the Niagara County Bullhead Tournament end?

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

Today through April 6 – Boating 716 Show and Sale at the Hamburg Fairgrounds, 5820 South Park Ave., Hamburg. The show opens at 10 a.m. on April 5-6. Admission and parking is free. For more information, visit https://eriepromotions.com/boat-716-show-sale/. Today through April 6 – 15th annual Niagara County Bullhead Tournament. Contest runs through Sunday at 1 p.m. Weigh-in at the Wilson Conservation Club, Route 425, Wilson, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Total weight of two fish.
The Fishing Beat: Steelhead fishing takes off. What are the best baits?

3 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

The Niagara County Bullhead Tournament begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and runs through 1 p.m. Sunday. The inland trout season is underway and places like Sprague Brook Park, Main Park Pond, Westwood Park, Hyde Park Lake and Oppenheim Park Pond soon will see trout stockings. Lake Erie and tributariesAs of Monday, there was still 500 square miles of ice left in the eastern basin of Lake Erie and some of it is several feet thick.
Outdoors calendar: Trout derby set for April 1

3 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Bill Hilts Jr.

March 30 – WNY 3-D Winter League shoot off date at West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $15 each week. Open to the public. Kids 12 and under shoot free. For more information, contact league president Brent Wangelin at 716- 863-7342. March 30 – Niagara Region 3D Winter League at Erie County Conservation Society, 13319 Miller Ave., Chaffee, from 8 a.m. to noon. Contact John Floriano at 716-725-5822 or Marty Handley at 716-870-2653.