“We conducted a survey last fall (2005) at Whitney Point Reservoir. The population had been down a few years. We found a large number of 5- to 6-inch crappies. They should soon be up to the size where they’re worth catching,” Prindle said.

Walleyes are also present in Whitney Point Reservoir. A good tactic is to set out tip-ups for walleyes while jigging for crappies.

Whitney Point Reservoir is in northern Broome County east of I-81. A U.S. Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir, it has a surface area of 1,131 acres and a maximum depth of about 15 feet. The lake may be accessed by a state launch ramp off state Route 26, about a mile north of the Whitney Point Reservoir dam in Dorchester Park.

Crappies may be fished year ‘round, with a daily limit of 25 fish and a minimum size limit of 9 inches. Walleye season is the first Saturday in May through March 15, with a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily limit of three fish.

The surrounding land is undeveloped, with no homes or camps. Get local information by contacting the Broome County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 49 Court Street Metro Center, 2nd Floor, Binghamton, NY 13901; or call 1-800-836-6740.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN
At 300,000 acres, Lake Champlain offers some fine ice-fishing for lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, northern pike, walleyes, smelts and panfish. But safe ice could come late and vary considerably from one place to another, due to the lake’s depth, which is about 400 feet maximum. Do not stray far from other ice-fishermen if you’re unfamiliar with this big lake! Watch for clusters of ice shanties that crop up in various places every winter, and follow the lead of other ice-fishermen.

Lake Champlain has its own set of fishing regulations with a reciprocal agreement with Vermont. The minimum size is 15 inches for landlocked salmon and lake trout, and for other trout, it is 12 inches. The daily limit is two landlocked salmon, three lake trout and three trout of other species.

The open season for all trout and landlocked salmon is year-round. The season for walleyes and saugers is the first Saturday in May through March 15. The minimum size for walleyes is 15 inches, with a daily limit of three fish. There is no minimum size and no daily limit for saugers. Pike may be fished year ‘round with a minimum size of 20 inches and a daily limit of five.

Yellow perch may be fished year ‘round, with no size minimum or daily limit except in Cumberland Bay, where the daily limit is 50 fish. Pickerel may be fished year ‘round with no size limit and a daily limit of five fish. Crappies may be fished year ‘round with a minimum size limit of 9 inches and a daily limit of 25 fish.

Fifteen tip-ups and two hand lines may be used for ice-fishing from Nov. 15 through April 30. Check the regulations booklet for details.

Lake Champlain has numerous access points. Take Interstate Route 87 north to Exit 29, and then drive east to Port Henry; or continue on to Exit 30 and go east to Westport.