News Release 2017 New York State Crappie Derby

News Release 2017 New York State Crappie Derby

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

WWW.CRAPPIEDERBY.COM

 

 

 

 

 

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

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