DUNKIRK NY

[charlie 2]

Looking to take a trip to Dunkirk NY for some small mouth.  Have heard some about of the great fishing.  But this will be our first time, any help would be greatly welcome. Plan on fishing 5/21 & 22 looking for ramp and a good place to stay.

Thanks in advance

[bassnleo]

Why not go to Presque Isle-Erie PA?

Fishing is as good, plenty of places to stay and eat very close to the penninsula and you have the bay in case the main lake is too rough.

At that time in May there are also plenty of smallies in the bay.

[charlie 2]

Might take a look and consider, sure it is closer.

[John M]

Bring alot of tubes and tube heads ,different size heads, Want to kep contact with the bottom. You will also mostly want to drift with the wind.So have two drift bags to adjust the drift speed of the boat. You will get hung up a lot and probably lose some set ups. Or you can drop shot if relatively calm. Might also find some fish in shallow under 15 feet,where suspending stick baits crankbaits and traps will do a number. otherwise deeperwater is the ticket.

Biggest head you can fit into a tube or a lead head jig and senko type bait(yum) etc.

[bassnleo]

Might take a look and consider, sure it is closer.

If I were traveling from WV, I would pick Presque Isle.

I have fished Dunkirk, Barcelona, Erie PA.

Granted, you can catch smallies on all the places, and numbers too, but for accomodations, ramps, and the ability to stay in the bay if the lake is bad, Erie is the way to go IMHO.

For example, the lake has not been fishable for the last 2 days and 2 days (at least) to come. Small craft advisory in effect. If you went to Dunkirk your option would be to stay in the room or risk your life.

Going to Presque Isle would give you the ability to fish and catch smallies (and largies/pike/panfish if you desire) and would not ruin your trip.

If you go back through this section you'll see threads on Presque Isle with additional info.

[charlie 2]

Where would you suggest putting in and where to stay?

Thanks

[bassnleo]

You can put in on the Penninsula at the West Pier Launch (also called Marina bay or lake). It's a large launch with quite a but of parking.

There are a number of places to stay that are very close to the penninsula. I personally stay at the Inn at Presque Isle which is the closest hotel to the Penninsula. The El Patio is beside the Inn. If you do a search of hotels near Presque Isle PA, you'll get a variety. If you do book with Inn or El Patio make sure you tell them your fisherman, I believe they both offer discount for fisherman (I know the Inn does).

Plenty of places to eat etc....around the area also.

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14835.shtml

Above is a link to a PIB map just FYI

[charlie 2]

Thanks for the Info.

[ww2farmer]

Or why not just come up to Buffalo, IMHO the fishing is more predictable than Dunkirk, there are WAY more spots, and you also have the option of going in the river or staying in the small boat harbor if the weather is bad.

[bassnleo]

Yep, good option also.