Thursday May 2, 2024 
35th Annual Ice Fishing Contest Rescheduled for Saturday 2/8 at Grafton Lakes State Park
GRAFTON – **Due to unsafe ice conditions Grafton Lake’s Ice Fishing Contest has been rescheduled for Saturday February 8, 2020.**
Grafton Lakes State Park will host its 35th annual Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 5:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
Registration begins at 5:30 AM and ends at 11:00 AM (or 12:30pm for youth) in the park’s maintenance building, accessible via the Main Entrance. There is a $10 entrance fee required for all participants age 16 or older, with no fee for children under 16. All participants 16 and older must have a valid NYS fishing license to fish in the park at any time, including during the contest.
Big cash prizes are awarded for adults with 1st place fish and the longest length catch in all three categories of trout, walleye/chain pickerel, and yellow perch. Winning entries will receive gift cards and other prizes.
Certified bait will be available on site from Hudson River Bait in the registration area. Bait is also available from Conroy’s Bait Supply in Watervliet and Flying Arrow Sports in East Greenbush. Do your part to help keep the waters at Grafton Lakes healthy and productive by using certified bait.
Tournament areas are located on Second Pond, Mill Pond, Dunham Reservoir, Shaver Pond, and Long Pond.
Family Fun Day at Dyken Pond
GRAFTON – Saturday, February 8; 1-3pm. Enjoy a day outside with your family at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Build in the snow, participate in a snowball throwing contest, take a short walk, play games, track animals and learn how to walk like an animal. Feel free to bring your sled to enjoy the hill at the end of the program while we warm up with hot chocolate! Cost $1.
Full Moon Trek at Dyken Pond
GRAFTON – Saturday, February 8; 6:30pm. Snowshoe, ski or hike under the natural light of the full wolf moon at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. We’ll cover about two miles on trails depending on conditions. For the intermediate trekker and older teens and adults. Snowshoe rentals available with advance notice for $5 at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com. Free.
Family Ice Skating Day in Sand Lake
SAND LAKE – The Sand Lake Town Board is sponsoring its first Family Ice Skating Day on Sunday, February 9th from Noon-4:00 p.m. at Reichard’s Lake Beach. Anyone from the town is invited to attend. This promises to be a fun-filled afternoon! The event is free and the only requirement is for everyone to have a good time. If the weather is warm, please check the town website at www.townofsandlake.us to see if the event is cancelled.
Ice Fishing at Dyken Pond
GRAFTON – Saturday, February 15; 1pm – 3pm. Want to try ice fishing but need an introduction to the sport? Looking for a great opportunity to get the family outdoors this winter? Then join us for an afternoon of ice fishing on Dyken Pond! It’s a free fishing weekend in New York State so no license is required. Ice fishing is a family friendly activity. We’ll talk about ice safety and common fish species caught in Dyken Pond, and learn about a variety of ice fishing techniques and equipment. Equipment will be provided for participants to use. Then everyone will fish! This program is for all ages. Leader: Casey Festa. Please preregister for this free event at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com.
Winter Break Snowshoe Program at Dyken Pond
GRAFTON – Tuesday, February 18: 1-3pm. Are you looking for something to do outdoors as a family over winter break? Youth, families and adults can congregate in a beautiful natural setting at the Dyken Pond EEC while experiencing the joy of snowshoeing. After a brief introduction covering the basics of snowshoeing we will snowshoe for about 2 hours, looking for signs of animals and enjoying a winter day outdoors. Preregistration is required at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com . Cost is $5 and includes individual snowshoe rental.
Tuesday Treks at Dyken Pond
GRAFTON – Every Tuesday: 1pm-3pm. Join Leonard Tremblay at the Dyken Pond EEC for a hike through the forest. We will hike or snowshoe about 2-3 miles depending on conditions every Tuesday afternoon in February. Please call or check the website for updated conditions and possible cancellations. For adults and older teens. Snowshoe rentals available for $5 at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@nullgmail.com.