Win Prizes!
Kenai River, Kenai, Alaska
After careful consideration, the Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center has made the difficult decision not to hold the 2026 Kenai Silver Salmon Derby.
Conservation has always been at the heart of this event. With limited in-season data available to specifically track Kenai River coho abundance, combined with inconsistent reports from local guides and anglers, we do not feel we have enough reliable information to confidently move forward with a harvest-based event this September.
This is a proactive conservation decision specific to our event and the standards we have established for the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby. It is not a judgment of other fishing events, organizations or anglers. Each organization must make the decision that is right for its event.
Sometimes being the World’s Most Responsible Fishing Derby means making the difficult decision not to hold a derby at all.
We are already looking ahead and plan to explore moving the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby to August 2027.
Thank you to our anglers, sponsors, volunteers, guides, businesses and community partners for continuing to support this event and its conservation mission.
We look forward to seeing everyone back in 2027.
What To Expect
For The Community
A fun and family-friendly event for residents and visitors of the City of Kenai to enjoy the Kenai River during the second shoulder of season.
Support The River
Help raise funds for management and improvements to river banks and riparian zones along the Kenai River.
Fishing in Kenai
Fishing is an integral part of Kenai’s culture and heritage. We invite members of the community to take part in this truly Alaskan experience while also contributing to conservation efforts that protect wild salmon populations.
New Kind of Tournament
Test your luck! The Kenai Silver Salmon Derby awards prizes using a Magic Weight that is randomly drawn at the end of each derby day. Since any fish over four pounds is eligible to win, anglers of all skill levels have a chance to earn prizes!
