The 68th Annual Ketchikan King Salmon Derby got underway last Saturday, May 23, with 410 fish weighed in over the Memorial Day Weekend. By comparison, a total of 822 fish were weighed in over the course of all three derby weekends in 2014. We’re clearly off to a terrific start!

The angler who turns in the largest fish this year will win a $10,068 cash prize in addition to two round trip tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies, a custom tournament jacket, and a canvas photograph of the winner with his or her fish. In addition to the grand prize and the adult prize ladder, there is a youth prize ladder, categories for the largest fish caught from a skiff 16’ or shorter, the largest fish caught by a permanent license holder, hidden weight prizes, and more. In total, over $100,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs during this year’s derby!

Last year’s derby was won by Rick Forrester with a 42 lb king. The current leader of this year’s derby is Duseigneur Paolo with a 40.3 lb Chinook salmon. There are still four more derby fishing days for someone to jump into the top spot.

Official Derby Weigh-In Stations are located at Mountain Point, Bar Harbor, Knudson Cove Marina, and Clover Pass Resort. Alaska Sportfishing Expeditions is also providing free fish processing to all derby participants at Clover Pass Resort and The Cedars Lodge on derby days!