TUPPER LAKE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB INC 2026 NORTHERN CHALLENGE RULES
The Northern Challenge Fishing Derby held the 1st Saturday in February each year is truly a sight to see. With anglers competing for around $40,000 in money and prizes, it makes the Northern Challenge one of the area’s biggest fishing derbies around. Each year, we give away (2) Four Wheelers, $6800 in cash and thousands of dollars in door prizes. We also have (5) 50‐50 Raffle Drawings.
LUNKER POOL ‐ $10 EXTRA FOR THE BIGGEST FISH OF THE DAY!
1/2 of Lunker Pool is Paid Out. Must be entered in Lunker Pool PRIOR to 7am on the day of the Derby!
(2)2 500cc 4-WHEELERS ARE AMONG THE TOP PRIZES!
NORTHERN CHALLENGE APPAREL IS AVAILABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE SITE
LEARN MORE ON THE THE NORTHERN CHALLENGE FACEBOOK SITE
https://www.facebook.com/adkman12986/
Entry Fee for the Northern Challenge is $35 with Lunker Pool being $45. NO refunds for any reason after acceptance for event.
All fishing is to take place on Lake Simond ONLY.
Contest runs from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 7th, 2026. You may be on the ice, but NO FISHING ON FRIDAY OR PRIOR TO 7 A.M. SATURDAY.
All NYS DEC laws apply. You are allowed 7 lines.
ALL REGISTRANTS must report to the registration building to get a wristband and sign liability waiver before fishing. Wristband must be presented when weighing in fish or collecting prizes.
Any unsportsmanlike conduct as determined by the event officials will be cause for disqualification.
All Northern Pike must be weighed on the official scales at the weigh station by an event official. In the event of a tie in weight, the first fish entered will win. NO DEAD FISH WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ENTRY.
All fish must be brought to the weigh station in water and become property of event officials to be released.
Money will not be awarded in the event of no fish entered on any given hour.
No fishing will be allowed inside closed shelters. All fishing must be done in open view of officials.
Fish may not be held for entry in another hour. When fish is landed, it must either be entered for that hour or released immediately back into Lake Simond.
There are 2 areas that are flagged off (closed) for safety reasons (current/thin ice). Anyone attempting to fish these areas will be disqualified. If unsure, ASK.
All cash prizes and ATV’s will be awarded at 4pm. All door prizes will be drawn at noon and winners will have until 4 pm to claim them. Any door prizes not picked up by 4pm revert back to the club to do as they see fit. Door prizes will be posted on The Northern Challenge Facebook page at noon.
YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.
In case of no ice, all door prizes, 2 ATV’s, all 50/50 raffles will be given away at 12 p.m. The Lunker pool will turn into a 50/50 drawing. Hourly fish payout will be based on the number of entries. All drawings will be awarded at the prize truck.
After 5AM Saturday, ONLY vehicles allowed on ice are registered and insured snowmobiles & ATV’s
17 Payout based on 800 entrants (otherwise 80%) $850 per hour: $500 1st, $200 2nd, $100 3rd. Lucky Fish $50 each hour.
WARNING: DEC has announced that they will be checking to make sure those on ATVs and snowmobiles are wearing helmets. They will also be checking fishing licenses & running radar on the ice.
No ATVs are allowed or permitted on Route 30, We have NYS Police here to help with traffic control and they will ticket those caught riding on Route 30.
Please remember that the property other than the access area to Lake Simond Pond is PRIVATE PROPERTY. Please respect the property owner’s rights.
CARPOOLING is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Park on the opposite side of the road FACING TOWARD Route 30. This will assist us in helping traffic move quicker and safer after the derby.
ALL COOLERS AND ICE SHANTIES ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH FOR FISH BEING BROUGHT IN.