Staff report

Cold weather and continued icing in the harbor have caused the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament to be postponed again, this time to Saturday, April 4. This first-ever push of the tournament into April means fishermen will have to follow a different and more restrictive set of rules, aimed at king salmon fishing in summer.

The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center last week changed the  tournament from its original date of March 21 to March 28.

“Like much of Alaska, Homer continues to experience unusually cold temperatures for this time of year. These conditions over the past several days have increased the thickness of ice in the side areas of the harbor, and very little of that ice has moved out,” Chamber Director Brad Anderson said in a press release. 

Anderson said that the extended forecast suggests improved conditions, with daytime temperatures expected to be in the high 20s and low 30s, while overnight lows remain in the teens.

“Based on current harbor conditions and the forecast, it is highly unlikely that the ice will clear sufficiently to safely hold the tournament on the 28th,” Anderson said. “… This decision ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for our anglers while also providing clarity for travel and work planning.”

On Friday afternoon, March 20, only a narrow lead of open water ran from the load-launch ramp to the center of the harbor. Pan ice about two-inches thick filled the harbor entrance and east side.

Postponing the tournament to April 4 also means Alaska Department of Fish and Game summer king-salmon fishing regulations go into effect. The winter king season runs Sept. 1 to March 31. In winter, the king salmon limit is two fish per day, two in possession, with no size limit and no annual limit in effect.

Summer king salmon fishing regulations start April 1. In summer, there is a combined annual limit of five fish for king salmon 20 inches or longer, and any king 20 inches or longer removed from the water must be retained. There also are restrictions on fishing north of Bluff Point in the Special King Salmon Management Area, with the main restriction that anglers may not continue fishing there after harvesting a king 20 inches or longer.

Anderson noted that the tournament has been delayed eight times since it started in 1994. This is the first time the tournament has been delayed two weeks. Four times the tournament had been delayed one day and three times it was delayed one week.

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

Anglers currently registered but unable to attend on April 4, should email wkt@homeralaska.org with your name, team name, and best contact information.

Updates will be sent directly to registered and past tournament anglers. Follow the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Facebook and Instagram for the latest information, or contact the Homer Chamber of Commerce at 907-235-7740.