Seneca lake derby

[Matt ching]

I saw that the grand prize this year is 7,500 not 10000. What’s up with that?!

[fisherdude]

At the end of fall fishing last year . I had stivers marina put an impeller in my boats lower unit . When I pick up my boat I had a conversation with the owner we talked about the derby he said there was a lot less enthusiasm over the last couple years. I said to him losing Sampson Park as a weigh-in station sure did not help. He nodded his head in a yes motion and didn't have any comment about Samson. 

[cinnamon fish]

So much negativity these days is killing these rare once a year derbies.  To me, fisherman should be thankful the derby has battled to still exist for more than 60 years.  If the negativity doesn't change to positivity and thankfulness these super fun traditions will cease to exist.  $7500 for a finger lakes derby is still a lot of money.  The reason it's not 10k is because not enough folks have the balls to enter.  What do you expect?

[fisherdude]

Society causes the negativity I believe can't walk out your freaking front door without $100 in your hand.

[shaneo19]

Had a duplicate response and I guess you can't delete a message.

Edited March 20 by shaneo19
Tried to delete do to duplicate messages

[shaneo19]

  On 2/23/2025 at 2:59 AM, cinnamon fish said:

So much negativity these days is killing these rare once a year derbies.  To me, fisherman should be thankful the derby has battled to still exist for more than 60 years.  If the negativity doesn't change to positivity and thankfulness these super fun traditions will cease to exist.  $7500 for a finger lakes derby is still a lot of money.  The reason it's not 10k is because not enough folks have the balls to enter.  What do you expect?

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I agree.  I am very thankful that we still have this.  It is one of the things I most look forward too every year.

[FishingNYS]

Lakes dead. No one wants to fish it for 3 days and catch under 10 fish. Lampreys are bigger then the fish we caught last year and the year before. Brad Hammers refuses to do anything for the lake even with anglers reporting dead fish and red algae growing on the pike. White algae growing on the perch.... Last 12 years Seneca has been very poor fishing. Some will argue it's good if you put the time into it. I've put a lot of time into it. It's easily proven that the quality/quantity of fish are down. 

 

Maybe the DEC should put some effort into stocking or research to improve lake conditions. It's been at least 12 years the lake has been slowly turning into a bait tank.

 

As far as Sampson. It could have stayed the way it was. Sessler ruined the natural beauty of the area for money that they clearly already have enough of..

Edited March 24 by FishingNYS

[GAMBLER]

  On 3/24/2025 at 10:53 AM, FishingNYS said:

Lakes dead. No one wants to fish it for 3 days and catch under 10 fish. Lampreys are bigger then the fish we caught last year and the year before. Brad Hammers refuses to do anything for the lake even with anglers reporting dead fish and red algae growing on the pike. White algae growing on the perch.... Last 12 years Seneca has been very poor fishing. Some will argue it's good if you put the time into it. I've put a lot of time into it. It's easily proven that the quality/quantity of fish are down. 

 

Maybe the DEC should put some effort into stocking or research to improve lake conditions. It's been at least 12 years the lake has been slowly turning into a bait tank.

 

As far as Sampson. It could have stayed the way it was. Sessler ruined the natural beauty of the area for money that they clearly already have enough of..

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I keep hearing this, but I have a bunch of customers that do well on Seneca.  

[Fishstix]

Someone wins every year.  I like to think its my turn..

[FishingNYS]

  On 3/24/2025 at 5:08 PM, GAMBLER said:

I keep hearing this, but I have a bunch of customers that do well on Seneca.  

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How many is a "bunch" because the majority of the community disagrees and so does the weigh in weights...  You can look at the weights from past to now. They have steadily decreased in size. 

 

Whatever. I won't post anymore about the health of the lake. Denial rules these forms

[GAMBLER]

  On 3/24/2025 at 9:29 PM, FishingNYS said:

How many is a "bunch" because the majority of the community disagrees and so does the weigh in weights...  You can look at the weights from past to now. They have steadily decreased in size. 

 

Whatever. I won't post anymore about the health of the lake. Denial rules these forms

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Yes, size isn't what it used to be, but numbers are good if you spend time figuring out the lake.  I saw the same thing happen to Honeoye.  The lake changed drastically and the guys that didn't put the time in to figure it out struggled.  The guys that changed with the lake, still have success.  The guys I know that have success on Seneca have totally changed the way the fish the lake.  

[Never Ends]

Average weight of winning Lake Trout Derby fish since 1994 is 12.745 lbs. winning fish last year was 12.36. 
Huge decline!

[Roys Boys]

Someone needs some gambler rigs..

[whaler1]

Derbies are more about bragging rights than the money. Always nice to see your boat name on the board. 
Fun to get out and compete. If at the end you cover your expenses you are killing it. 😎

[whaler1]

Frogger I’m expecting you to have another great showing. 

[lakebound88]

[Trouthunter]

So lets all say that a Landlock wins the derby this year as they have a better chance of not gettig attacked by the lamprey since they stay away from the bottom what do you think the weight will be

[Frogger]

  On 3/25/2025 at 9:21 PM, whaler1 said:

Frogger I’m expecting you to have another great showing. 

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Thanks Bill. I think this years derby will be the hardest for me mentally as we recently had a family shocker. Seeing our friends and family on the lake will probably be my trophy. Anything else will be a bonus. 

[Fishstix]

LT 14lb

[Bo Hunter]

[Sk8man]

After fishing the derby for 60 years I've seen all of the ups and downs both in fish populations and number of participants. Despite some close win calls over the years I have placed a bunch of times but never won. What keeps me coming back has always been the challenge of trying to figure out the fish and what adjustments I have to make to the conditions and my tactics. The sporting challenge is everything; not the money. Even after all these years and the changing conditions I still get excited every year about the derby and look forward to seeing old friends out there and kicking around ideas and theories. And after things may not turn out well I always say to myself "maybe next year". That is part of the game and keeping that excitement alive is a mentally healthy thing to do.

Edited Wednesday at 04:23 PM by Sk8man