ABOUT THE FISHING DERBY SERIES
The Northwest Fishing Derby Series was created in 2004 by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) for the purpose of promoting fishing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. In the first year of the Series, six existing derbies were identified to become partners of the Series. Since that year, the Series has expanded to 15 derbies in 2019.
Carefully and selectively, the Series has been very keen to partner with derbies that are wild fish friendly. Each event occurs within the guidelines of open fishing seasons that happen at a time of the year and area where hatchery chinook and coho salmon exist. In fact, all chinook derbies in Puget Sound marine areas have gone to “hatchery fish only” – also known as marked-selective fishing – even during times and places where retention of unmarked chinook and coho are acceptable for retention in accordance with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules.
We, at the Northwest Fishing Derby Series and NMTA, are a partner to the protection and enhancement of wild chinook and coho stocks. We encourage anglers to fish selectively and carefully to release unmarked chinook and coho salmon, particularly when the rules require release.
By working with government agencies to protect wild stocks, while accessing abundant hatchery salmon, we believe this formula is the road map to the future of sport fishing for salmon in the Pacific Northwest.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
All of the salmon derbies in the series are conservation-based targeting hatchery chinook and Coho in cooperation with WDFW fish management and conservation goals. This doesn’t apply to derbies in the series that target other fish species, such as cod and bass.
Each derby is responsible for its own rules and rules vary from derby to derby. For an individual derby’s rules, visit the derby’s website.
You do not need to enter a derby or enter a fish to win the grand prize boat. Free grand prize boat raffle tickets are available at each derby.
There are 17 derbies or more in the series. See the home page for dates and contact information.
Derby ticket costs vary depending on derby. See the derbies individual websites for details.
Derby anglers do not need to be present to win.
The boat’s winner is drawn at the conclusion of the Everett Coho Derby, September 26-27, 2020.
The KingFisher 2025 Series Hardtop for the 2020 derby series is valued at $75,000 and is powered with Yamaha 200 and 9.9 horsepower motors. It comes on an EZ Loader tandem axle galvanized trailer fully rigged with Scotty High-Performance Downriggers, Raymarine electronics, and a Dual Electronics stereo.
When an angler purchases a derby ticket, the angler is automatically entered into the drawing for the grand prize boat happening 9/26-27/20 at the Everett Coho Derby. (Limit one derby ticket per person)
If you have any questions that we haven’t answered here, please contact Mark Yuasa or give us a call at (206) 634-0911.
RESOURCES
Attention all saltwater anglers and derby participants! Now it is more important than ever to “Be Whale Wise” when on the water fishing for salmon and other fish. Seeing killer whales and other wildlife is an exciting experience but often we tend to forget that our presence can have a negative effect and in some cases could be life threatening. Governor Jay Inslee’s “Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force” has provided some of best practices for boaters and anglers that can be seen on the infographic. To better understand killer whale encounters, go to http://www.bewhalewise.org. You can also download a PDF of this infographic at https://tinyurl.com/srkwtaskforce.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Head here for information on all things related to fishing in Washington State. The WDFW website provides information and resources related to protecting, restoring and enhancing Washington’s fish and wildlife.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Working to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game Idaho Fish and Game’s mission is to protect, preserve, perpetuate and manage Idaho’s wildlife resources. Here you can purchase your Idaho fishing license and learn everything you need to know before heading out fishing.
Fisheries & Oceans Canada Want to go fishing in Canada? Head here to find out everything need to know.
Purchase your WA State fishing license
Northwest Marine Trade Association Producers of the West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series, head here to learn about what NMTA is doing to promote boating and fishing in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Boat Show –January 24, February 1, 2020 The Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, is the West Coast’s Largest Boat Show featuring more than 1,000 recreational watercrafts, and hundreds of free boating and fishing seminars, and all of the latest accessories indoors at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, plus afloat on South Lake Union.
Puget Sound Anglers Dedicated to preserving quality fisheries, PSA believes that our salmon resources can be restored with sound biological management. Join a local chapter and support this mission.
Outdoor Line The Outdoor Line is the original Seattle outdoor radio show and can be heard every Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle. Hosts Tom Nelson and Rob Endsley combine listener calls with a variety of fishing and hunting experts and political activists to keep Pacific Northwest anglers, hunters, and outdoorsman abreast of new techniques, upcoming seasons, and conservation news.
TakeMeFishing.Org Your one-stop resource for everything fishing and boating. Find quick links to purchase your fishing license or to secure your boat registration. Explore articles and videos on how to fish, how to tie fishing knots and proper catch and release. Search fishing hotspots and places to fish or boat near you, then share your big catches in our community!
Discover Boating The only place to go to learn everything you need to know about boats.
Get your mandatory Washington Boater Education Card Boaters in Washington need to have their Washington State Boater Education Card with them when operating a boat 15 horsepower or greater. Boater operators born before January 1, 1955 are exempt but may choose to get a card if they plan to boat in Canada or Oregon since both require mandatory education.
Salmon University This site will show you where, when, and how to catch salmon. Salmon University is designed from the ground up as an educational site. It is an ongoing project updating destination articles, how-to lessons, and in-season updates.
SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
ABOUT THE FISHING DERBY SERIES
The Northwest Fishing Derby Series was created in 2004 by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) for the purpose of promoting fishing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. In the first year of the Series, six existing derbies were identified to become partners of the Series. Since that year, the Series has expanded to 15 derbies in 2019.
Carefully and selectively, the Series has been very keen to partner with derbies that are wild fish friendly. Each event occurs within the guidelines of open fishing seasons that happen at a time of the year and area where hatchery chinook and coho salmon exist. In fact, all chinook derbies in Puget Sound marine areas have gone to “hatchery fish only” – also known as marked-selective fishing – even during times and places where retention of unmarked chinook and coho are acceptable for retention in accordance with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules.
We, at the Northwest Fishing Derby Series and NMTA, are a partner to the protection and enhancement of wild chinook and coho stocks. We encourage anglers to fish selectively and carefully to release unmarked chinook and coho salmon, particularly when the rules require release.
By working with government agencies to protect wild stocks, while accessing abundant hatchery salmon, we believe this formula is the road map to the future of sport fishing for salmon in the Pacific Northwest.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Derby anglers do not need to be present to win.
There are 21 derbies or more in the series. See the derbies page for dates and contact information.
You do not need to enter a derby or enter a fish to win the grand prize boat. Free grand prize boat raffle tickets are available at each derby.
Derby ticket costs vary depending on derby. See the derbies’ individual websites for details.
The boat’s winner is drawn at the conclusion of the Everett Coho Derby, September 26-27, 2020.
The KingFisher 2025 Series Hardtop for the 2020 derby series is valued at $75,000 and is powered with Yamaha 200 and 9.9 horsepower motors. It comes on an EZ Loader tandem axle galvanized trailer fully rigged with Scotty High-Performance Downriggers, Raymarine electronics, and a Dual Electronics stereo.
When an angler purchases a derby ticket, the angler is automatically entered into the drawing for the grand prize boat happening 9/26-27/20 at the Everett Coho Derby. (Limit one derby ticket per person)
Each derby is responsible for its own rules and rules vary from derby to derby. For an individual derby’s rules, visit the derby’s website.
All of the salmon derbies in the series are conservation-based targeting hatchery chinook and Coho in cooperation with WDFW fish management and conservation goals. This doesn’t apply to derbies in the series that target other fish species, such as cod and bass.
If you have any questions that we haven’t answered here, please contact Mark Yuasa or give us a call at (206) 634-0911.
RESOURCES
Attention all saltwater anglers and derby participants! Now it is more important than ever to “Be Whale Wise” when on the water fishing for salmon and other fish. Seeing killer whales and other wildlife is an exciting experience but often we tend to forget that our presence can have a negative effect and in some cases could be life threatening. Governor Jay Inslee’s “Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force” has provided some of best practices for boaters and anglers that can be seen on the infographic. To better understand killer whale encounters, go to http://www.bewhalewise.org. You can also download a PDF of this infographic at https://tinyurl.com/srkwtaskforce.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Head here for information on all things related to fishing in Washington State. The WDFW website provides information and resources related to protecting, restoring and enhancing Washington’s fish and wildlife.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Working to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Idaho Fish and Game’s mission is to protect, preserve, perpetuate and manage Idaho’s wildlife resources. Here you can purchase your Idaho fishing license and learn everything you need to know before heading out fishing.
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Want to go fishing in Canada? Head here to find out everything need to know.
Purchase your WA State fishing license
Northwest Marine Trade Association
Producers of the West Marine Northwest Salmon Derby Series, head here to learn about what NMTA is doing to promote boating and fishing in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Boat Show –January 24, February 1, 2020
The Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, is the West Coast’s Largest Boat Show featuring more than 1,000 recreational watercrafts, and hundreds of free boating and fishing seminars, and all of the latest accessories indoors at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, plus afloat on South Lake Union.
Puget Sound Anglers
Dedicated to preserving quality fisheries, PSA believes that our salmon resources can be restored with sound biological management. Join a local chapter and support this mission.
Outdoor Line
The Outdoor Line is the original Seattle outdoor radio show and can be heard every Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle. Hosts Tom Nelson and Rob Endsley combine listener calls with a variety of fishing and hunting experts and political activists to keep Pacific Northwest anglers, hunters, and outdoorsman abreast of new techniques, upcoming seasons, and conservation news.
TakeMeFishing.Org
Your one-stop resource for everything fishing and boating. Find quick links to purchase your fishing license or to secure your boat registration. Explore articles and videos on how to fish, how to tie fishing knots and proper catch and release. Search fishing hotspots and places to fish or boat near you, then share your big catches in our community!
Discover Boating
The only place to go to learn everything you need to know about boats.
Get your mandatory Washington Boater Education Card
Boaters in Washington need to have their Washington State Boater Education Card with them when operating a boat 15 horsepower or greater. Boater operators born before January 1, 1955 are exempt but may choose to get a card if they plan to boat in Canada or Oregon since both require mandatory education.
Salmon University
This site will show you where, when, and how to catch salmon. Salmon University is designed from the ground up as an educational site. It is an ongoing project updating destination articles, how-to lessons, and in-season updates.
SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS