Staff report

Buildup of sea ice at the Homer Harbor has caused the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament to be rescheduled to Saturday, March 28. 

In a press release March 13 from the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, sea ice at the harbor entrance, icy conditions at the boat launch and ice accumulation in many of the mooring slip caused the tournament to be rescheduled from its original date of March 21 “in order to provide a safe and fair experience for all participating anglers,” according to the press release.

“These conditions create an unsafe situation for launching multiple boats, limit the availability of overnight moorage and reduce the capacity for vessels to exit the harbor safely,” the press release said.

An aerial photo from the chamber showed ice clogging the mouth of the harbor and in many of the slips. Mud Bay also is totally iced in from the base of the Homer Spit to Coal Point at the end of the spit.

The tournament committee will meet again on Wednesday, March 18, to reevaluate harbor conditions and assess any improvements.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these conditions. The safety of our anglers and participants remains our highest priority,” the chamber said in the press release.

Anglers who have registered for the tournament but who cannot attend on March 28 should email wkt@homeralaska.org with your name, team name, and best contact information.

Updated information also will be sent via email to registered and past tournament anglers. 

Follow the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates or contact the Homer Chamber of Commerce office at 907-235-7740.