The city’s only king salmon fishing derby takes place June 8 – 17, and it’s where catching the big one can also mean reeling in some big prizes. Anyone can join the Downtown Soup Kitchen’s Slam’n Salm’n Derby, where you’ll go up against the town to snag the biggest king salmon. Derby tickets are free, and all you have to do is show up at the pier for your chance to grab the big one.

There aren’t many fishing derbies in the U.S., which makes this event a one of a kind chance to show off your skills (or luck). No gear is necessary because there are plenty of local businesses renting out the basic necessities and hooking up visitors with licenses. If you didn’t come to Anchorage prepared to fish, that’s no problem. Prefer to watch? This spectator sport has plenty of fans rooting the competitors on.

Where to Derby

The Bridge Seafood Restaurant is a popular spot to grab some catch of the day while watching the competition unfold. Any spot on Anchorage’s bridge that you can find will also offer front-row views of the action. Ship Creek, a staple fishery in town, is one of the major hosts of the event and is just a short jaunt from your Anchorage hotel.

With salmon runs flowing into the Anchorage rivers, there’s also halibut, char, and trout to catch this time of year. The soup kitchen keeps everyone energized throughout the competition, feeding over 500 folks per day from competitors to spectators.

Is a big catch in your future?