The Fish House F & G Club Contest originally scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 14 has been moved to its alternative date of Saturday, Feb. 11. All other contest details remain the same. It will still be headquartered at the Town of Providence parking area on Route 110, 1/4 mile north of Fish House Corners.

It will offer $2,400 in prize money and the fishing hours will be 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., with prizes awarded soon after the 4pm contest closing time.

Three prizes will be awarded in the walleye, northern pike, perch and trout divisions. The first place walleye will be worth $500, second place $150 and third place $100. Prizes in the northern pike, walleye and trout division will be as follows: first place in each of those three division - $300, second place $150 and third $100.

The entry fee for this event is $20 per person, which includes free chili and coffee which will be served at the weigh station between 11 a.m. and 4  p.m. the day of the event.Contest entry forms are available and will be accepted at the Fuel & Food Store, Frank’s Gun & Tackle, Ross’ Bait Shop, Laport’s Bait Shop, Jim’s Bait Shop and Dave’s Bait Shop.

CHANGES IN FISHING REGS

With the ice fishing season upon us, this is a good time to remind you that recent changes in fishing regs also apply to ice fishing. For example, in waters where ice fishing is permitted, all anglers are now allowed to use up to three lines (jig poles, etc.) and five tip-ups.

Previously, only two lines and five tip-ups were allowed. This change is as a result of anglers now being allowed to use three lines during the spring, fall and summer months, rather than just two lines. Of course, some special regulations may be in place on some waters so check your fishing regulations guide before venturing out. According to recent DEC surveys, ice fishing popularity has doubled in the past decade.

OTHER EVENTS

IN JANUARY

Participation in the Jan. 28 annual Walleye Challenge Contest was limited to the first 1,500 entrants and that number was achieved quickly so the registrations are already closed.

A total of $45,000 in cash and merchandise prizes will be awarded - $1,000 per hour plus $9,000 in miscellaneous prizes plus drawings for ATV’s or snowmobiles (three will be awarded.) The hourly prizes for the four largest walleyes entered each hour will be awarded in the following fashion - $550 for first place, $300 for second, $100 for third and $50 for fourth place.

Because these four prizes will be awarded for the four heaviest walleyes entered during a specific hour of the event, it is possible that the fourth place walleye during one hour may actually be larger than the winning walleye in another hour.

The contest will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and you can fish anywhere on the lake.  You will be allowed on the ice prior to the 7 a.m. starter but only to drill and clean holes and get your gear ready. No tipups may be set up and used prior to the starting time.

The wristband you were issued after registering for the event must be worn throughout the contest in order to prove your registration. Also, all members of your fishing party must be registered in the event and also have wristbands.

No fishing will be allowed within any ice shanty or tent. In other words, you can spend all the time you wish in a shelter but all your fishing gear must remain outdoors and in plain sight.

There will be two weigh stations for the Walleye Challenge - one out on the ice in front of Lanzi’s on The Lake and the other, also on the ice, in front of the  State Boat Launch on Lakeview Road, Broadalbin.

You can bring any walleyes to be entered in the event to either one but all prizes will later be distributed at the main location at Lanzi’s on the Lake, where all the other prizes will also be distributed.

You’ll find all the details you need on the sheet that accompanied the registration form but if you have any questions or need more information you can call the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce at 518-725-0641 or Lou Stutzke at Fuel N’ Food, 518-661-6917.

The annual Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation Ice Fishing Contest will also be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 and will offer $1,500 in prizes in the northern pike, perch and trout divisions, meaning you can now enter just about anything you catch in one contest or the other, provided you’re entered in both.

The Fisheries Federation Contest will be headquartered at the Sacandaga Boating Club which will also serve as the sole measuring station (judging will be by length) and the contest hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The entry fee is $15 per person though youngsters 12 and under can participate for free if fishing with an adult who has paid the entry fee. Three prizes of $300, $150 and $50 will be offered in each of the three divisions cited above.

During the contest you can call 518-227-8298 for up-to-the-minute information on the status of the prize board. For additional information now you can call Jack Smith at 863-4271 or Randy Gardinier at 848-7248. You can also get additional information by going to: www.gslff.com on the web.

Also on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Canajoharie Forest, Fish & Game Club will again host its annual One-Day Coyote Hunt. The registration fee is $20 per person and prizes will be awarded for the heaviest male and female coyotes entered.

The prize split will be 60/40 and the amount of each prize will depend upon the number of persons registered in the event. Registrations will be accepted at the clubhouse on Fish and Game Road, Canajoharie, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 and again on Saturday, Jan. 28, the day of the event, from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. There will also be two gun raffles and a 50/50 raffle the day of the event.

The club kitchen will also open at 6 a.m. on Jan. 28 for anyone seeking a hearty breakfast before hunting.

For additional information on this contest you can call John Hayes at 518-922-5055.