After much consideration, the Derby Committee has decided to forego our
traditional “Last Saturday in January” date for the derby and set a new
course. We have selected February 18 for the coming season and are not
planning on an alternate date in the event of unsafe ice for that date.
Hopefully, Mother Nature will bless us with the appropriate weather to
insure safe ice for that date. I have provided a copy of the news release in
multiple formats for your convenience as well as pasted it below.
Our website has been updated and will be maintained regularly between now
and the event. The results of the event will be posted to that website the
day following the derby. If I can be of further service at any time you can
contact me as below.
As of now there is an ice coating over the lake and anglers have been on and
fishing for about a week. Dorchester Park personnel have not given us an
‘official’ ice thickness reading yet and have not confirmed the safety of
the ice. We expect to add official readings added to the derby website
starting later this week.
Regards,
Dave Hughes, Derby Coordinator
New York State Crappie Derby
2750 Hickory Street
Whitney Point, NY 13862
(607) 692-3263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 26, 2016
Whitney Point, NY – The 2017 running of the Almost-Annual New York State
Crappie Derby is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2017. The Derby is a
family oriented event that allows everyone to get outdoors after a couple of
months of being cooped up inside. Although it is primarily an Ice Fishing
event, other attractions will also be provided for spectators. There are
usually far more spectators than registered contestants. Prize categories
will exist for those not successful (or even trying) catching fish.
As of now, that date is a FREE FISH day according to the NYS DEC. This means
that no fishing licenses are required anywhere in New York State during the
weekend of February 18 and 19, 2017. This includes not only NYS residents
but out of state anglers as well. This makes for an ideal time for young
families to get outdoors and try the sport. The derby registration fee is
also FREE for those 12 and younger. There is a $2 fee for all over 12 years.
Everyone registered will have an opportunity to win door prizes even those
not fishing. There will be a lot of fishing prizes in many categories. In
addition to the fishing, there will be plenty of other activities to enjoy
(for FREE).
The derby is sponsored by the Whitney Point Sportsmen’s Association and the
Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation. Free parking is available
at Dorchester Park in Whitney Point as well as Kiebel Road extension on the
west side of Whitney Point Lake. Prizes will be awarded throughout the day
with a significant amount set aside for the kids. We’ll find a reason to
give them a prize. Each year that we’re lucky enough to develop safe ice,
thousands of people attend. The last year we staged the event, in February
of 2015, about 750 registered to fish and compete for prizes and, including
spectators, 1,500 people were in attendance. The purse that year was
approximately $8,000. In past years, we have hosted several thousand
participants.
There is something for everyone: an excellent fishing lake, prizes for fish
along with Door Prizes, a midway with a number of exhibits, refreshments and
port-a-johns on the ice. Some of the organizations participating with us
will be the 4H Ed Center @ Finch Hollow, the National Weather Service (with
a real-time digital weather station), the Triangle EMT team and the BC
Underwater Dive Team. The local Whitney Point Rotary Club is planning to
host Ice Skating at the event. This would include free loaner skates if you
don’t have your own.
Prizes are donated by area merchants and organizations, as well as some
national vendors and groups from outside New York State.
For a thorough description and updates check/visit our website at
WWW.CRAPPIEDERBY.COM . Our website will be updated on a continuing basis as
we approach the Feb 18 date.
This website also contains current conditions of the lake on an updated
basis. There is currently about 4 inches of ice. For questions, contact Dave
Hughes, Derby Coordinator, 607-692-3263
Email NYSCRAPPIEDERBY@AOL.COM .
Dave Hughes
2750 Hickory Street
Whitney Point, NY 13862