Valdez Halibut Derby Off And Running

The following press release is courtesy of Valdez Fish Derbies:

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Halibut Derby kicked off Saturday, May 21 with anglers excited to get their lines in the water. Harlie Lewollen of Anchorage holds first place weekly and overall, with the very first fish weighed for the 2022 season, a 70.4-pound halibut caught May 21 aboard the Nikaitchuq. Holding 2^nd place for the week as well as overall is John Stevenson of Anchorage with a 62.2-pound halibut caught May 21 aboard the Nikaitchuq. Third place overall has yet to be claimed, but it’s a great time to get a derby ticket and drop a hook in Prince William Sound.

The grand prize for catching the largest fish in the Valdez Halibut Derby is $10,000 cash. The second-place prize is $3,000 and third place is $1,500. Halibut derby anglers can also win weekly first- and second-place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 3 through 12. The angler catching the largest halibut during this period will win $1,000 in addition to the daily prizes. Weekly prizes include tours, accommodations and retail gift certificates, fishing charters, and Valdez Fish Derbies apparel. 

Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a “Tagged Fish Contest” August 12 through September 4. If an angler catches a tagged silver salmon during that time period and turns it into the Valdez Fish Derbies weigh-in shack, they win cash or prizes. There will be one tagged silver salmon worth $10,000. All silver salmon derby rules apply for the “Tagged Fish Contest” and rules and more information can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com.

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1st          Harlie Lewollen                 Anchorage, AK               70.4 lbs.                 May 21                 Nikaitchuq

2nd        John Stevenson                Anchorage, AK                  62.2 lbs.               May 21                 Nikaitchuq

3rd         —————–                      ——————-                   ———                  ———-             ————-

Halibut Derby – Weekly Leaders – Week #1

1st          Harlie Lewollen                 Anchorage, AK               70.4 lbs.                 May 21                 Nikaitchuq

2nd        John Stevenson                Anchorage, AK                  62.2 lbs.               May 21                 Nikaitchuq