The 2008 Running of the
Almost-Annual NYS Crappie Derby


The 2009 running of the 
Almost-Annual New York State Crappie Derby
is scheduled for
January 31, 2009
 

The Whitney Point Sportsmen's Association has
set the last Saturday in January 2009 as the
projected date for its' next attempt to stage
the 2009 running of their event.  

This website will be updated over the next few days to reflect early plans for the event.

- - - - - - Recommended Reading - - - - - -
Go to the "About The Crappie" Page
of our website for some excellent writeups concerning the Crappie and the 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.
 

Registration
Registration fee is $2.00 for those over 12 years old. PreRegistration will be announced well in advance of the 2008 event. Registration will start on the ice about 7:00 AM. The Registration Booth is centrally located on the lake - you can't miss it. Registration comes with a souvenir button.

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. 
4. The Broome County Emergency Squad will attend the event both to provide assistance should it be required and to provide information on how they serve the community. Got a cold kid? Bring him inside - the EMTs will treat them well.
5. Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse of Binghamton will have a space to provide a craft session on the ice for the younger folks and spectators. Craft sessions will take place in an enclosed shelter on the ice between 1:00 & 3:00 PM.
6. The Ross Park Zoo will be in attendance - what they will bring will depend on the weather. "Critter duJour".
7. The Finch Hollow Nature Center is currently scheduled for the 2008 Derby.
8. Other displays are under consideration.
9. 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.