The 2009 Running of the
Almost-Annual NYS Crappie Derby


It's Official --
The 2009 running of the 
Almost-Annual New York State Crappie Derby is in the History Books

Go to the 2009 Winners Page
to see the results.

Further details, Attendance Distribution, and New Photo's will be added in the next couple of days.

Thanks for attending
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed putting it on.

Total Purse  $7,500
 

Change in schedule
We have just been informed that Lowe's Home Improvements will not be conducting Craft Kit assemblies for the kids. The local stores informed us today (Tues, 1/27/09), that they were unable to obtain the kits as they had committed.

See Current Conditions page for information on current Whitney Point Lake activities. Ice growth continues to look favorable for the event to go off on schedule.

For Registration Info Click Here
This includes Pre-Registration Info

The Schedule for Derby Day is:
5:00 AM Pancake Breakfast at the Point-of-Light Masons Lodge
(Registration will be taken there)
7:00 AM - Registration starts on the lake
8:00 AM - Official start of the 2009 Crappie Derby
(Specials until 3:00 PM)
Concession stand opens
9:00 AM - First Door Prize (Every hour after that till 2 PM)
10:00 AM - 12:00 - Finch Hollow Nature Center Displays
Noon - 2:00 PM - Ross Park Zoo - Critters du Jour
12:30 PM - Special Door Prize - listen for Announcements
1:30 PM - Snowmobile Suit Give-away*
3:00 PM - Prizes awarded

 * Kids Size 12 Snow Suit - test fittings & Sign Ups starting at 9:00 AM (1 to give away - Courtesy of Sled Show Racing. Listen for announcements

- - - - - - Recommended Reading - - - - - -
Go to the "About The Crappie" Page
of our website for some excellent write-ups concerning the Crappie and
Whitney Point Lake
Complements of Dave Lemon of the NYS DEC 
- - - - - - Recommended Reading - - - - - -

Pass the word around -- pass this website link to those you think might be interested in the status of the event. (See Current Conditions Page)
 

Sponsored by the Whitney Point Sportsmens Association, Broome County Department of Parks & Recreation and local prize sponsors.

Visit the Whitney Point Sportsmens Association
Website at WWW.WPSPORTSMEN.ORG

Please support our sponsors - Keep your eye on the Sponsor Page to
see who's supporting your derby.
 

Ice Central
We receive many positive comments regarding the "midway" on this ice. It is particularly popular with the spectators. This year we are looking at:
1. Our concession stand. We will continue to try to improve this.
2. The Judging/Registration booth.
3. The National Weather Service will have a display to show instantaneous Temperature, Wind Direction, Wind Speed and Wind Chill. That has been very interesting to many of those attending. 
5. The Ross Park Zoo will be in attendance - what they will bring will depend on the weather. "Critter duJour".
6. The Finch Hollow Nature Center is currently scheduled for the 2009 Derby.
7. Other displays are under consideration.
8. And, of course, our ever popular Rent-a-Johns.

Past derbys have had over 2500 participants (as many as 8,000 including spectators) from all over New York State and much of the Northeast. It has been a very popular event due to its fun and family oriented format. This will be the 32^nd year since the start of this event and there have been five cancellations. Not too bad of a record.

Significant effort is put into assuring safe condition. The Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation will be monitoring ice conditions as soon as ice starts forming. We will keep you advised of ice conditions at Whitney Point Lake and other areas as information becomes available. We welcome Emails and will be glad to post those that we feel has value to "hard water anglers". Any recommendations regarding this website are also encouraged.

Prize Categories:
28 - Biggest White Crappie (Length) per "Special". (15 Minute period - 8:00 - 3:00 PM)
3   - Biggest White Crappie of the day - 1st, 2nd & 3rd
6   - Biggest of numerous fish species (over the entire day)
?   - Door Prizes - any Registered Participate is eligible - No need to catch a fish.
Many - Kids prizes throughout the day.
The derby has been known as the "party derby" for many years due to its' unique format. The Crappie Derby awards prizes every 15 minutes for the largest (longest) WHITE crappie caught during each 15 minutes during the derby hours. This format has caught on and is now used by many other derbies. This format makes for a carnival environment all day. The judging booth is located in the middle of the ice with a powerful PA system which is constantly announcing the status of the current leaders of each "derby". Along with the judges booth is a concession stand providing a steady stream of chili, chowder, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc all day. Rent-a-johns, positioned over the ice help to make this a comfortable place to be during the long winters day. In addition to the anglers, many visitors show up to observe the goings-on of the day. The event has drawn up to 8,000 people to the ice of Whitney Point Lake.

The main target of the derby, as might be expected, is the Crappie, or Calico Bass as it is sometimes known. While the Black Crappie is the best known relative of the family, the White Crappie predominates in the Whitney Point Reservoir.  

Snowmobiles/4Wheelers Rules for the Derby:
  You can bring them and use them for transportation to your fishing spot but must park them until time to go home. No touring or Hot Roding. This will be enforced by DEC and BC Security.

Important notice about Bait: The use and overland motor vehicle transport of uncertified bait fish is illegal in New York State.  Certified bait fish can be transported overland and can be used in any body of water where it is legal to use bait fish. When buying certified bait fish, a sale receipt that states the bait is certified and has the name of the selling vendor, date sold, species of fish sold, and quantity of fish sold must be issued by the bait vendor. A receipt is valid for 7 days from the date of sale. An angler must have this receipt available when transporting bait fish.
See the following website at DEC: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/33072.html
for more detailed information.