The 31st annual Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament will take place next Saturday, March 22 in Homer.
All registered anglers must have a 2025 fishing license and a valid king salmon stamp, and must comply with all Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations.
Lines go in at 9 a.m. and must be out at 4 p.m. Weigh-in will begin at 2 p.m. Anglers must be in line at tournament headquarters no later than 6 p.m. to be eligible for weigh-in.
In the event of inclement weather on Saturday, the tournament will be postponed until Sunday, March 23, according to the official rules posted on the tournament website. If bad weather conditions continue, the tournament will be postponed until the following week on Saturday, March 29 or Sunday, March 30.
“In case of questionable weather prior to start of fishing, the Tournament Officials will assess the conditions every thirty minutes, with the final decision for the day being made prior to 9 a.m.,” the website states.
This year’s event will be held at the Deep Water Dock at 4667 Freight Dock Road. In addition to the main tournament, boats can also participate in team side tourneys or win prizes through drawings, according to the tournament website. Festivities featuring live music, a beer and wine garden, food trucks and vendors will be held at the weigh-in stations by the Deep Water Dock after lines are pulled from the water.
A kickoff party will be held Friday, March 21 at Alice’s Champagne Palace, starting at 4 p.m. Tournament staff will be available to assist with registration and side tourneys.
Since 2021, the tournament has averaged over $200,000 in annual cash prizes and the champion fish has averaged $77,910, according to the tournament website.
The 2024 Winter King Tournament champion was Chris Keithley of Seldovia Fishing Adventures, winning $72,291.50 with a fish weighing in at nearly 26 pounds. Last year’s tournament also saw 1,059 anglers and 302 boats competing and an estimated $169,780 awarded in prize money, along with merchandise prizes worth more than $25,000.
Find more information about the 2025 tournament and register online at www.homerwinterking.com/.
