As part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, and Erie’s role in that victory, the Perry 200 Commemoration Commission is putting on a series of events in the coming year.

One is the Perry 200 Fishing Challenge on May 30 on Lake Erie. Put on in conjunction with S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, it will feature multiple age divisions and prizes.

Full tournament information has not been released. For details, contact the Jefferson Educational Society at info@jeserie.org or call (814) 459-8000.

The absence of ice on Presque Isle Bay was a bummer for anglers this winter, but S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie offers a reason to smile — its annual Ice Out Party April 1 from 1-5:30 p.m. at the Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 W. 38th St.

A ticket to S.O.N.S.’ major fundraiser includes food and refreshments, door prizes, games and the chance to take part in the Fantastic Fin and Fur raffle (first prize: choice between a Yamaha Grizzly 4X4 Automatic ATV and trailer or a Kymco Grandvista 250 scooter).

For information, or to get a ticket, call 453-2270 or see a S.O.N.S. member.

Meet the S.O.N.S. officers and directors for 2012 here.

Save our Native Species of Lake Erie will have its final general membership meeting of the year Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Polish Falcon Club, 431 E. Third St. The public and new members are invited.

S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie’s annual open house is Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. at their hatchery on the Erie Water Authority compound, 340 West Bayfront Parkway.

Steelhead, walleye and perch are now hatching at the facility. Walleye and perch will be stocked Monday into Presque Isle Bay by S.O.N.S. members and volunteers.

Events and activities that might interest outdoorspeople this week:

1. S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie monthly meeting. Executive director Jon Arway and District 1 commissioner Edward Mascharka III of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will speak and take questions Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Polish Falcons Club, 431 E. Third St. New members and the general public are invited to the free event.

2. Cathedral by Candlelight. See the Forest Cathedral in Cook Forest State Park in a whole new light during this guided evening walk. Candy and hot chocolate will be served at the Log Cabin Inn. Bring a flashlight. Meet at the inn Friday by 7 p.m. for the 2-hour program. For information, call (814) 744-8407.

3. Break out the neoprene waders. The best of the year’s weather has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean fishing season is over. Aside from the ample opportunities to chase steelhead in the tributaries, fall stockings this month delivered highly catchable trout throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. Justus Lake and Chapman Dam Reservoir will get the first of their winter stockings Nov. 3.

Ice fishing season can’t be far off.

S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie hatchery manager and director Bob Zawadski reported a Presque Isle Bay water temperature of 34 degrees on Friday evening at the hatchery near the foot of Chestnut Street.

Here’s the Dec. 16 North American Ice Service 30-day forecast:

Patchy areas of new lake ice will develop along the northern shore during the first week of 2010. In the second week new and thin lake ice will develop in the western section of the lake west of Cleveland and in the approaches to Buffalo. Also during that time the band of new and thin lake ice along the northern shore will expand to about 5 to 10 miles offshore. Sandusky Bay and Long point Bay will consolidate during the period. Otherwise open water except isolated patches of new lake ice along sections of the southern shore.

Steelhead anglers in particular but all anglers in general are invited to say thank you Dec. 19 to private landowners who generously open their Erie-area properties to fishing.

Four Erie-based conservation groups — the Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the PA Steelhead Association, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie and the Gem City Outdoorsmen Club Fly Tiers — will deliver some 100 fruit baskets the morning of Saturday, Dec. 19.

Non-members interested in helping with delivery are invited to meet at Heartland Antiques & Gifts, 9101 Ridge Road, Girard, at 8 a.m. The group will have breakfast at McDonald’s, then pick up baskets.

Mike Bleech has been writing about the proposed development of a final piece of accessible shoreline along Erie’s western Bayfront Parkway. Take a look at the full waterfront development master plan as proposed by the Erie Western-Pennsylvania Port Authority.