Sportsmen Flock To Fulton County To Hunt, Fish
Lou Stutzke has fond memories of his childhood and teenage years, when he spent most winters ice fishing on Fulton County's lakes with his uncle.
"My uncle built this really cool deluxe shanty, and we'd camp out on weekends until I was, like, 17," recalls Stutzke, who owns Fuel-n-Food convenience store in Mayfield with his wife, Nancy. "He'd bring a couple of his friends, and I'd bring a couple of mine, and we'd make hot dogs or a big pot of chili. We called it shanty chili. I've always loved ice fishing."
He's not alone. With 44 lakes, Fulton County has become a mecca for fishermen, and hunting is a popular sport in the region as well. In fact, Outdoor Life magazine ranks Fulton County one of the best places in the nation for hunting and fishing. Deer and bear are highly sought after by hunters, although small game is also desirable.
"I prefer small game – rabbits and squirrels – because there's more action involved," says Herb Frank, a sales representative at Fly Shack in Gloversville. Fly Shack offers a wide selection of quality fly fishing flies as well as other outdoor gear.
As for fishing, Frank says West Canada Creek is a popular spot for catching salmon and steelhead. He says good fishing can also be found in the Sacandaga Reservoir and in many streams throughout the region.
Nowhere is the community's love affair with fishing more apparent than at the Walleye Challenge, an ice-fishing competition that takes place the last weekend in January. The one-day event is a joint venture of local businesses and the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"It's a $45,000 tournament, and local businesses supply prizes and help out," Stutzke says. "Every hour, $900 in prize money is given away for eight hours. It goes by the heaviest three fish caught every hour, and then there's a prize for the biggest fish at the end of the day."
The first annual Walleye Challenge in 2009 was capped at 1,000 participants, a number that was raised to 1,500 in 2010 because of the overwhelming response.
"We raised it to 1,500 participants for 2010 because we had to turn so many people away the first year," Stutzke says.
In addition to prize money, there are also drawings for four-wheelers, snowmobiles and other prizes.
"A couple hundred people pay the $30 entrance fee just for the chance to win a prize," Stutzke says.
Fuel-n-Food also hosts an annual ice-fishing contest the first weekend in March. Stutzke started the contest 11 years ago with 100 participants, and it has grown to 700 participants with $10,000 in prizes.
"My contest is like a big camping party," he says. "For the 10th anniversary in 2009, we had a big cookout on the ice. We had a big smoker with beef, ribs and pork. Everybody had a great time."
For more information on fishing and hunting in Fulton County, visit www.44lakes.com and www.visitsacandaga.com.
