Scott and Shari Guenther pull in a catch during the 72nd Annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Friday, August 17, 2018, sponsored by the Territorial Sportsmen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Scott and Shari Guenther pull in a catch during the 72nd Annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Friday, August 17, 2018, sponsored by the Territorial Sportsmen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Salmon Derby dates set

Derby might be open to king salmon again

The 73rd annual Golden North Salmon Derby will take place Aug. 16-18 this year, according to an announcement during Wednesday night’s Territorial Sportsmen Inc. Salmon Symposium.

The derby, an annual event that happens in August, raises money for scholarships. Since 1953, Territorial Sportsmen has given out more than 300 scholarships totaling $1.7 million. Scholarships range from four-year scholarships for graduating high school seniors to scholarships for graduate study to scholarships for vocational training.

Due to concerns about the population of chinook (king) salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Territorial Sportsmen do not encourage anglers to target king salmon. Sport fishing king salmon is closed from April 1-June 15, according to ADF&G, but it will be open after then. In 2018, the derby didn’t accept king salmon for prizes or to be sold as scholarship fish. Derby Co-Chair Jerry Burnett said Thursday that if king salmon fishing is open at the time, the derby will be accepting kings this year.

The winner of the 2018 derby, James McKnight, reeled in a 17.7-pound coho salmon and the $10,000 grand prize.

In 2018, Bennett said at the time, there were more than 1,100 derby tickets sold and participants turned in 2,676 cohos that weighed a total of 25,081 pounds. Alaska Glacier Seafoods paid $28,064.40 for the fish, Burnett said at the time.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of June 8

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule.… Continue reading

Volunteers look for trash on the Jordan Avenue sidewalk at JAMHI’s Community Litter Pickup event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
JAMHI hosts community cleanup to kick off 40th anniversary celebration

Local addiction and mental health treatment organization plans summer of events and give-back days.

Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Officials warn of possible lawsuit in wake of Alaska governor’s education funding veto

Among issues are if veto violates Alaska’s constitutional guarantee of adequately funded public schools.

Youths compete in a choker setter race during last year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A not-entirely-precise schedule of this year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days

Timing of events for 33rd annual weekend “depends on the number of contestants and speed of competitors”

The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area will not reopen because repairs are no longer practical, officials said Thursday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Eaglecrest leaders decide Black Bear chairlift is beyond repair, seek alternatives to get skiers at their peak

Possibilities include converting Ptarmigan lift to triple-chair in addition to long-awaited gondola.

Homes in downtown and west Juneau on Friday, May 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Short-term rental task force recommends rule adjustments, but no cap on units for property owners

Group suggests allowing multiple STRs for a single dwelling, “grandfathering” period for new rules.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Opinion: The king of hubris

On Monday, President Donald Trump was asked if he planned to deploy… Continue reading

Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. At background are Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak (left) and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham (right). (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Begich joins US House Republicans in voting to claw back public broadcasting money

Clawback, formally known as a rescission, subject to approval by Senate in a simple majority vote.

Most Read