Almost Annual Crappie Derby In Whitney Point Cancelled

The Almost Annual Great New York State Crappie Derby is not happening this year due to lack of ice. 

The Whitney Point Sportsmen’s Association determined last week the ice on Whitney Point Lake would not be thick enough by February 15 to safely hold the hundreds of anglers and others who would attend the ice-fishing competition and festival.

The Derby has had worsening luck over the years.  In 2019 it was cancelled due to dangerous ice conditions that resulted from heavy rain raising the reservoir levels then falling again and freezing thin layers of ice around the edges of the lake.

It was last year that the WPSA decided to do away with setting alternate dates since, when the tournament WAS rescheduled, it drew far fewer participants and spectators than when it was able to be held on the original scheduled date, making a postponement not cost-effective.