PRIZE MONEY WILL BE 50% OF TICKET SALES! THERE WILL BE PRIZES FOR FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PLACE AS WELL AS MYSTERY FISH ONLY! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT AND CAN BE MAILED YOUR PRIZE.
Fishing is allowed in the open areas of Marine areas 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9 and 10 ONLY! (only Hatchery fish from area 10 will be weighed to make the playing field even) The beach access of these areas is included in this derby. During these dates Wild fish are NOT ALLOWED to be retained! Only CLIPPED fish from all areas may be retained to make the derby equal. No Wild fish will be weighed
Derby hours are from dawn to 4pm Saturday and Dawn to 2 pm on Sunday sharp.
Salmon must by caught the day of the event, in the designated marine areas, and arrive at the weigh in location either by car (if fishing from the beach) or water to qualify for weight in and prizes. Weigh in stations will be located at Fort Casey State Park (Coupeville and Bayside Marine Everett)!
Hatchery (only) fin clipped salmon may be weighed from 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9 and 10 in to qualify for prizes. You can keep Wild fish in areas that is allowed but will not be weighed. All participants agree to comply with all current WDFW rules. Any infractions will disqualify the fish and participant. You will need your fishing license and derby ticket at the weigh scale. Fish not marked on your license will be disqualified.
There only two weigh-in locations for this tournament in 2024. They are Bayside Marine, Everett and Fort Casey State Park, Coupeville, WA.
In case of ties the person that weighed their fish first by timestamp will be the recipient of the Grand Prize, second or third.
You must be in line with your fish by 4pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday to weigh in your fish. Time will be determined by the derby official’s cell phones. No exceptions!
Derby officials reserve the right to disqualify any fish that appears to be tampered with, per the rules designated herein. Fish that have a noticeable freshly clipped adipose fin will be disqualified. or fish that look to be snagged and not caught in the mouth. (We retain the right to notify WDFW if infraction warrants).
Prizes shall be awarded for the largest Coho Salmon (by weight) in various categories and for salmon coming closest to the mystery weight. If the mystery weight is 8lbs and one is 7.5lb and one is 8.1 the 8.1lb would win.
The decisions of Derby Officials on legality, time, and weight will be final and binding.
Prizes and awards will be limited to one per entry fish per person. No upgrading of fish is allowed.
There will be no youth prizes for the 2024 derby. All entries will have the ability to win all adult prizes.
Any violation of Derby rules or regulations shall be subject to disqualification at the discretion of the judges.
Persons observing possible rules violations are required to submit a written protest, on a form available from derby headquarters (weigh in station) to the judges no later than 1pm on Sunday September 15th.
There shall be no refunds. This is an all-weather derby! Participants are expected to use reasonable judgement and common sense with respect to weather and sea conditions.
Prize recipients are responsible for payment of any taxes that might be owed on a particular prize, merchandise prizes shall have no cash value, and shall not be eligible for exchange or credit from the donor thereof. All prizes will be final at the time of award.
Derby official’s decisions are final in all Whidbey Island Coho Derby matters!
You must be present for any prize drawings on Sunday at Keystone but do not have to be present to win the Scotty Downrigger or Win money in the Derby. Checks will be mailed the week of Monday the 16th. Drawings will be between after 2pm at the Keystone Ferry.
• Coho Salmon entered must be a minimum of 3.0 lbs. whole. All fish will be inspected by our official Fish Checker, and in the opinion of the checker, any attempt is made to artificially enhance the weight of a fish or falsify where or how the fish was caught, that fish and the person entering the fish WILL be immediately disqualified from this and all future Whidbey Island Coho Derbies and criminal charges WILL be pursued. The official Fish Checker word is FINAL.
ALL WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RULES APPLY. BE AWARE THAT WDFW RULES MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME SO PLEASE CHECK BEFORE FISHING.
Coho Salmon entered in the Derby must have been caught on Saturday, September 14th and/or Sunday, September 15th of 2024. Coho Salmon must be weighed in on the day they are caught. Fish may be bled, but not gutted or cleaned for weigh-in. The winner of any tie will be determined by the earliest date and official time of entry. Only HATCHERY Coho Salmon caught in the following areas are eligible to be entered in the Derby: Puget Sound fishing Area 8-1, 8-2, 9 and 10. Only LEGALLY hooked Coho Salmon are eligible to win. If there are clear snag marks that fish will be disqualified.
• Each contestant may weigh in only 1 fish per day. The largest of the two fish will be your entry for placing. Only 1 fish will count towards the leaderboard and will not place in multiple rankings.
• Everyone aboard the boat must have a derby ticket. This includes Charter Boats. Random checks will be conducted. Salmon for Soldiers are encouraged to participate in the derby but must have a ticket to win any prizes.
We are an infant PSA and appreciate all support from other PSA's and those who support the Salmon fishing opportunities and restoration of salmon stocks.
Amounts for prizes will be determined by ticket sales. 50% of all ticket sales will be divided up to make prizes.
Thank you from the Whidbey Puget Sound Anglers!