BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The shores of marinas dotting the city’s Lake Erie border were busy Saturday.
Bright sunshine. Mild temperatures. Curious fish.
But there’s another reason. The harsh winter has left more than 800 square miles of thick ice behind a steel boom — delaying its removal — and keeping people like Charles Johnson confined to the docks.
“Once they remove the ice boom, then we can get out and fish in the lake,” said Charles Johnson, of Buffalo. “But right now, we’re confined pretty much to the harbors. And most of the marinas in this area are not very friendly to shore fishermen.”
Making matters worse, Charles says, are growing restrictions.
“We have almost a 10- or 15-day window in the spring to fish in this harbor,” he said. “After that they start putting the docks in, and we’re outta here.”
Combine that with the late season ice, and broader fishing opportunities are delayed once again.
Charles isn’t alone. Dozens of anglers are facing the same dilemma. But when the fish are biting, like they were for Michael Hunter on Saturday, any place is a good place to cast a line.
“We’ve had great fishing up here. Just bad weather. Great fishing. The proof is in the bucket,” Hunter said.
A delayed boom removal hasn’t ever stopped the annual Boom Days from happening.
The event, which features live music, historical silo tours, food and drink and is capped off by fireworks, is in its 14th year.
“It’s a transitional point. It’s our line in the sand,” Donnelly said. “Most places consider spring, you know, March 21. Our spring happens when the boom comes out.”
Although it’s celebrated, and symbolic of spring’s arrival in Buffalo, the actual boom removal could be weeks into the future.
And until then, guys like Charles and Michael will continue to toss a line from terra firma.
The International Niagara Board of Control measured 840 square miles of ice behind the boom as of April 15. And it could be weeks before the ice shrinks to the 250 square miles needed to remove the ice boom.
The latest ice boom opening happened in 1971 on May 3. Last year, the boom was removed April 29.
