Babylon, NY - July 17, 2016 - The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – Long Island Region and Captree Fuel, Bait and Tackle are pleased to announce that the annual Snapper Derby at Captree State Park will be held on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm each day.

The Snapper Derby is held to encourage children to fish. Children 16 years old and younger are welcome to participate. The tournament is free; however the standard $8 vehicle use fee will be in effect.

There are numerous fishing locations throughout Captree State Park. Participants are welcome to bring their own equipment, or rent or buy it at Captree Fuel, Bait and Tackle. The shop will be open for sales and rentals from 6 am – 4 pm each day of the tournament.

The last weigh in will take place at 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The snappers will be weighed alive and live release is encouraged. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third heaviest fish in each age category (7 years old and younger; 8-12 years old and 13-16 years old) on Saturday and Sunday. An award ceremony will be held at 4:30 pm each day, during which raffles and freebies will be given out. Winners must be present to claim their prizes.

Captree State Park is located on Ocean Parkway in Babylon. It can be reached by taking the Robert Moses Causeway south, or Ocean Parkway east. For additional information, please call Captree State Park at (631) 669-0449 or Captree Fuel, Bait and Tackle at (631) 587-3430.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 65 million people annually. A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474- 0456 or visit www.nysparks.com.