Silver salmon hang in the Seward Boat Harbor during the 2018 Seward Silver Salmon Derby. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)

Silver salmon hang in the Seward Boat Harbor during the 2018 Seward Silver Salmon Derby. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)

‘Fish on’

Silver Salmon Derby pushes forward despite pandemic

While most major events around the Kenai Peninsula have been canceled this summer due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers of the Seward Silver Salmon Derby said “fish on.”

The Derby will run from Aug. 8 to Aug. 16 of this year. Kat Sorensen, communications director for the Seward Chamber of Commerce, told the Clarion Wednesday that the biggest differences participants can expect this year will be the lack of in-person interaction and an emphasis on keeping distance between anglers.

“Luckily fishing is one of those sports that’s socially distanced in and of itself,” Sorensen said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

First, all participants will have to purchase their tickets online rather than in person by going to ssd.seward.com.

The weigh-in station will have signage and markings in place to keep people at least 6 feet apart as they bring their catch to be weighed. All derby volunteers will be wearing masks. Participants will be encouraged to wear masks.

The derby will offer prizes daily in a number of different categories. Anyone who lands one of the salmon that were specially tagged ahead of the derby, the biggest fish of the day or the biggest one in the whole competition will win prizes that include cash, airline tickets and more.

People have the option of fishing from shore, on a boat or in a kayak, with different prizes awarded for each method. Prizes are also divided into men’s, women’s and youth categories.

For the full rules and more information on the derby, visit salmon.seward.com.

Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Kenai wildlife refuge seeking information on missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducts a training mission in Seward, Alaska in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team
Anchor Point fundraiser to benefit Alaska rescue and recovery group

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization established in 2016.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic staff (left to right) Angie Holland, RN; Jane Rohr, Sonja Martin Young, CNM; Robin Holmes, MD; and Cherie Bole, CMA provide an array of reproductive and sexual health services. (Photo provided by KBFPC)
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic releases report on STI trends on the Kenai Peninsula

The report pulls from data gathered from 2024 to early 2025.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

Most Read