Seward Silver Salmon Derby 2026: Dates, How It Works & Tips
The Seward Silver Salmon Derby is one of Alaska oldest and biggest fishing events — a nine-day scramble for silver (coho) salmon on Resurrection Bay, with real cash on the line and a famous tagged-fish jackpot. The 2026 running is the 71st. Here is what you need to know.
When and where
The derby runs August 8–16, 2026 out of Seward, on the Kenai Peninsula about two and a half hours south of Anchorage. Fishing happens on Resurrection Bay and the nearby Gulf waters, and the action centers on the Seward small-boat harbor, where the official weigh station tallies the catch each day.
How it works
The idea is simple: buy a derby ticket before you drop a line, catch silver salmon, and bring your best fish to the weigh station during weigh-in hours. The largest silver of the derby takes the top prize, and there are daily and category prizes down the board. The twist that makes Seward famous is the tagged-fish jackpot — the fleet releases specially tagged salmon, and landing the right one can be worth a large cash prize on its own. For current entry fees, prize amounts, weigh-in hours, and the official rules, check the organizer at seward.com.
Getting on the water
Charters book out well ahead of derby week, so reserve early if you want a guided seat — see our Alaska fishing charter guide for how to pick one. You can also fish from your own boat or work the shoreline near town. Either way, buy your ticket first: a fish caught before you are registered does not count.
Tips for derby week
Dress for cold and wet even in August — Resurrection Bay makes its own weather. Silvers tend to run strong from the middle of August onward, so the back half of the derby can be prime. Know the ADF&G regulations and daily limits before you head out, and get your fish to the scale before weigh-in closes.
Make a weekend of it
Seward is worth the trip on its own. Pair the derby with a Kenai Fjords glacier-and-wildlife cruise, Exit Glacier, or the Alaska SeaLife Center — our Seward day-trip guide maps it out, and Seward is also home to the famous Mount Marathon race on the Fourth of July.
Plan your trip
See what else is on in town on our Seward events page, browse Southcentral Alaska, and read up on the wider Alaska fishing season.