Here's the soup to nuts on all you need to know about the 2017 Schroon lake Fish and Game Club Ice Fishing Derby.

By Drew Hanchett
Dave Insull
Mike Ryan

Dear Fellow Fishermen, Women and Children,

Our 25th Annual Ice Fishing Derby will take place on Schroon Lake on Saturday and Sunday, March 4th and 5th, 2017.
Fishing will start at daylight on Saturday and end at 4 PM on Sunday by which time all fish must be weighed in at the Clubhouse. All fish must be caught in the designated waters of Schroon Lake. Tickets must be purchased prior to fishing to be eligible for any prizes. This includes children who have tip-ups out.

f pre-registered you do not have to sign in at the clubhouse before fishing. Tickets are $15 per person. Last minute entries may be completed at Flanagan’s on Friday evening March 3rd or at the Fish & Game Club Friday, March 3rd from 12 noon to 9 PM, or Saturday, March 4th or Sunday March 5th all day.

There will be three categories of fish – Trout, Salmon and Northern Pike with three cash prizes in each category determined by weight. There will also be a cash prize for the heaviest Pickerel and Perch. Legal sizes and take in Schroon Lake are Salmon- 15” (3), Lake Trout – 18” (2), and Northern Pike – 18” (5), Perch any size (50). There are no limits on Pickerel. Because of the large number of entries we will NOT accept any Lake Trout or Pike under 24”. Please return the smaller fish to the lake – keep only what you want to eat. Any discrepancies and/or decisions will be decided by the committee.

All cash prizes will be awarded at the Clubhouse after the 4 PM close of fishing on Sunday. Door prizes donated by area merchants, members and friends of the Club are drawn Saturday by noon and available for pickup Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to check the prize lists at the Club. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact a co-chairman.

Weather permitting there will be marked vehicles on the lake to pick up your fish and bring them to the Club for weigh in so that you do not have to leave your tip-ups or fishing area. There will be no pick-up service after 3:30 pm on either day. The fish will be displayed at the Club with your name and ticket number until you pick them up.

There will be a homemade pasta dinner including pasta sauce with meatballs and bread served at the Club starting at 5 PM on Saturday for $10 each. The Club bar will be open Friday, 12 noon – 9 pm and on Saturday and Sunday noon till ? for members and guests.

Please remember the VHS disease and DEC regulations. Folks who are fishing are allowed no more than 100 bait fish at a time. Bait must come from a shop that has certified bait or be bait you have caught yourself in Schroon Lake. Bait cannot come from one lake to another in an effort to stop the spread of this disease. You may use smelt you have caught in Schroon Lake.

As most past fisherman are aware ENCON and the NYS Police will be present and checking licenses and registrations as well as tip-up’s, etc. Please remember to bring all licenses and registrations for you and your machines with you. For all information regarding the NYS Ice Fishing regulations please visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov.
For further information or to confirm mail-in registrations please call 518-532-7953. Be sure to leave your name and number if no one is available and we will return your call.