Annual Slam'n Salm'n Derby

Name: Annual Slam'n Salm'n Derby
Start: 2026-06-05T07:00:00-08:00
Location: The Bait Shack

Schedule

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026 at 07:00 am

UTC-08:00

Location

The Bait Shack | Anchorage, AK

Anchorage’s largest king salmon derby, the Slam’n Salm’n Derby, is scheduled for three weekends June 5,6,7 & 12,13,14 & 19,20,21 2026 on the banks of Ship Creek from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM. (Dates are subject to change and could be effected by Emergency Orders posted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Anglers will have the opportunity to cast a line to help others, while also fishing for a chance to win exciting prizes.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!
All prizes and awards will be presented awards and prizes during the Slam'n Salm'n Derby Awards Ceremony on June 21 at 2 p.m. at Kings Landing on Ship Creek.
Proceeds from this year's derby will support three Alaska non-profit organizations: Downtown Hope Center (DHC), Alaska RiteCare Foundation and the Alaska Sport Fishing Association.
The DHC provides meals, shelter, laundry services, and vocational training to homeless and low-income individuals in Anchorage. The Alaska RiteCare Foundation provides clinical support to Alaska's children with language and speech difficulties, and offers a scholarship program for a graduate student seeking to advance their career in speech therapy. The Alaska Sport Fishing Association is a statewide public service organization working to improve the quality of our fisheries for sport and personal use/subsistence fishing, while bringing people together to protect, enhance and improve the Alaskan fishing experience.
Local anglers and out-of-state visitors are eligible to participate in the Derby. To participate, a derby ticket must be purchased prior to fishing. Your derby ticket is valid through the entire event.
Tickets will be available for $20 each at the Derby headquarters that will be located at The Bait Shack at 212 W. Whitney Road. After catching a King, the angler must bring their catch to Derby Headquarters for official weigh-in.
The Derby categories are Men, Women, Military and Youth classes. Military service members may enter two classes by purchasing two tickets; one in the Military class as well as the Men or Women’s class. There are other ways to win prizes too.
Anglers are only allowed to enter one King Salmon per day and up to a total of five King Salmon during the derby. Anglers must have the appropriate 2026 State of Alaska Sport Fishing License with king stamp.
This years derby prizes include cash, fishing trips, rods, reels, tackle, gift cards and more! Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each category. We will also be presenting prizes and recognition for; 1st Fish, Smallest Fish, 49th Fish along with daily mystery weights. NEW for 2026 we will be providing a prize for the angler that records the largest total accumulation by weight during the derby. Remember you can check up to five (5) King Salmon during this event.
The 9th annual Ship Creek Youth Fishing Day coincides with the Derby. Ship Creek from the C Street bridge to the Bridge Restaurant. This are is only open to angers age 15 and younger. The Ship Creek Youth-Only fishery on June 20 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be an additional event "Get Out & Fish" happening for all our youth anglers. This event will include, Hot dogs, Chips, Drinks provided by Powerade, along with bags stuffed with goodies and prizes.
The Slam’n Salm’n Derby and Ship Creek Youth Fishing Day is part of The Bait Shack Community Events, a series of community fishing events in Anchorage. Upcoming events include the annual Coho Rodeo Derby, a second Ship Creek cleanup in the fall, and the Jewel Lake Jamboree ice fishing event next February. The 14th Annual Ship Creek Cleanup will kick off the season on May 9th.
These events are made possible by the generosity of The Bait Shack’s partner sponsors: Matson, Bristol Bay Native Corp., Coca-Cola Bottling of Alaska, Cadence General LLC, Lithia Hyundai of Anchorage, Monster Energy along with nearly 20 other local businesses that donate prizes and giveaways for these events.
We look forward to seeing you on the creek.
Fish On!