DERBIES: Local contests send some home a lot richer.
King (chinook) salmon
• Average: 15-40 pounds
• Trophy: 50 pounds; 75 pounds in Kenai River
• Alaska Record: 97 pounds, Kenai River (1985)
Silver (coho) salmon
• Average: 8-14 pounds
• Trophy: 20 pounds
• Alaska Record: 26 pounds, Icy Stait (1976)
Pink (humpy) salmon
• Average: 3-5 pounds
• Trophy: 8 pounds
• Alaska Record: 13 pounds, Moose River (1974)
Chum (dog) salmon
• Average: 10-12 pounds
• Trophy: 15 pounds
• Alaska Record: 32 pounds, Caamano Point (1985)
Red (sockeye) salmon
• Average: 4-6 pounds
• Trophy: 12 pounds
• Alaska Record: 16 pounds, Kenai River (1974)
Northern pike
• Average: 4-8 pounds
• Trophy: 15 pounds
* Alaska Record: 38 pounds, Innoko River (1991)
Halibut
• Average: 10-50 pounds
• Trophy: 250 pounds
• Alaska Record: 459 pounds, Unalaska (1996)
Ling Cod
• Average: 15-30 pounds
• Trophy: 55 pounds
• Alaska Record: 81 pounds, Monty Island (2002)
Dolly Varden / Arctic Char
• Average: 1-3 pounds
• Trophy: 10 pounds
• Alaska Record: 27 pounds, Wulik River (2002)
Rainbow / Steelhead Trout
• Average: 2-6 pounds
• Trophy: 15 pounds
• Alaska Record: 42 pounds, Bell Island (1970)
Grayling
• Average: 1 pound
• Trophy: 3 pounds
• Alaska Record: 5 pounds, Fish River (2008)
Steelhead
• Average: 6-8 pounds
• Trophy: 15 pounds
• Alaska Record:
Top 2011 Alaska Fishing Derbies
Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby
• When: May 1-Sept. 30
• Where: Homer
• Prizes: Winner earns most of the jackpot, but there are other prizes including the biggest three fish each month, largest fish caught by a woman and a monthly released fish (more than 60 pounds) prize. The 2010 derby winner won $40,610.
• 2010 Winner: 278 pounds by Jamie Olvera of Fairbanks
Seward Silver Salmon Derby
• When: Aug. 13-21
• Where: Seward
• Prizes: $10,000 first place; numerous other prizes
• 2010 Winner: 18.9 pounds by Harold Foley of Anchorage
Ship Creek Slam'n Salm'n Derby
• When: Mid June, dates TBA
• Where: Anchorage
• Prizes: To be announced
• 2010 Winner: 42.9 pounds
Valdez Halibut Derby
• When: May 21-Sept. 4
• Where: Valdez
• Prizes: $15,000 first place, $5,000 second, $2,000 third. Other prizes.
• 2010 Winner: 277 pounds by Loren Bell of Glennallen
Valdez Silver Salmon Derby
• When: July 23-Sept. 4
• Where: Valdez
• Prizes: $15,000 first place, $5,000 second, $2,000 third. Other prizes.
• 2010 Winner: 19.1 pounds by Kelvin Cann of Nevada
Valdez Women's Silver Salmon Derby
• When: Aug. 13
• Where: Valdez
• Prizes: $1,000 plus $500 in prizes for winner
• 2010 Winner: 18.8 pounds by Betty Valdes of Eagle River