Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament Will Allow One Fish Entry

Champion Ron Johnson, center, holds his 25.65 lbs king salmon that won the 24th annual Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament, March 25, 2017. He’s flanked by 2nd place winner, right, Gino Del Frate (25.10 lbs), and 3rd place winner, left, Gary Deiman (24.30 lbs). Johnson’s king was also the largest white king.
Jim Lavrakas/Far North Photo

The following press release is courtesy of the Homer Chamber of Commerce:

The Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament is Alaska’s premier fishing tournament with large payouts and statewide participation. The tournament is also the biggest fundraiser for the Homer Chamber of Commerce and provides the community’s small businesses with a much-needed shot in the arm at the end of a long winter.

In the interest of being good stewards, the Winter King Committee and Chamber Board of Directors are committed to the long-term sustainability of the winter king fishery and have made the decision to limit the number of king salmon caught at this year’s tournament. Each registered angler will be allowed to enter one fish in the tournament. We encourage you to harvest just one fish and join us in solidarity; in being good stewards of our resource and the long-term sustainability of our fishery and the Homer Winter King Tournament.

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The tournament is scheduled for March 24. Here is the release that’s running in our March issue:

The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center will host its 25th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on March 24. Every year, anglers have taken to the waters of Kachemak Bay in search of king salmon, as we consider this is the premier fishing tournament of Alaska.

So mark your calendar, get your boat ready, buy your

fishing license and prepare to fish in one of Alaska’s largest fishing competitions. It’s also a chance to win some great cash prizes.

In 2017, champion Ronald A. Johnson of Homer took home winnings totaling over $53,000 for his 25.65-pound white king salmon.  Payouts for the top 10 anglers totaled over $120,000. This is one of the Kenai Peninsula’s most popular events as last season’s participation showed: 299 boats with 1,007 anglers entered. That group combined for 216 fish caught and weighed.

There are also additional opportunities for side bets and prizes offered every hour of the tournament on the radio and Facebook. After the fishing lines are pulled from the water, join the festivities at the weigh-in stations that are located at Coal Point Trading company on the Homer Spit (4306 Homer Spit Road) Join us for music, food, vendors, beer, and huge fish!

The tournament is successful each year because of the support of volunteers and sponsors.

For more information about the tournament, please contact Kim Royce at the Homer Chamber (907-235-7740; jhd@homeralaska.org. You can also check out website (homerwinterking.com) and like us at facebook.com/homerwinterkingsalmontournament.