Our hopes were high and it looked like it was going to happen. Then at the last minute, it happened again, around 7:50 a.m. on Friday, the "Almost Annual NYS Crappie Derby" was canceled for the 5th time in the last 6 years. I thought it was because of the warmer temperatures that we've had lately...but I would be wrong.

Get our free mobile app

The "Almost Annual NYS Crappie Derby was scheduled for Saturday, February 19th to coincide with the DEC Free Fishing Weekend. That way, families can enjoy the event without having to buy a fishing license.

In the past, the event was postponed because of the warm weather but this year was a different story. I spoke to Tom Decker from the Whitney Point Sportsmen Association and he told us that the ice on Whitney Point Lake is doing just fine.

Why The Almost Annual NYS Crappie Derby Was Cancelled For 2022

He said that there is still 13 to 14 inches of ice on the pond but it's the shoreline that could be the potential problem. With all the rain and warm temperatures in the last couple of days, the Army Corp. of Engineers will be closing the gates to the lake. This will cause the water in the reservoir to rise

This creates a problem with the lakeshore and causes the ice to pull away from the edges around Whitney Point Lake, This will cause it to rise 5 or 6 feet, so you won't be able to get on or off the ice...that's makes it a bit of a problem.

Here is the complete conversation with Tom:

The NYS Almost Annual Crappie Derby hasn't been held since 2018 but that isn't going to stop them. Tom and the rest of the members of the Whitney Point Sportsmen are optimists and this won't get them down for long. It may be "Oh crap" this year but it's on to 2023.

Lowest Binghamton Area Temperatures Since The 1950s

IN PHOTOS: Winter Storm Izzy Smacks The The Southern Tier

Winter Storm Izzy arrived in the Southern Tier late on Sunday, January 16, 2021 and dumped varying amounts of snow. These photos were submitted by locals to show what it looks like where they live.

More From WZOZ