Tickets for the 2020 Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby are now on sale.

This year’s event, which uses selective fishery (clipped fin hatchery fish only) is held March 13-15, concluding with a free barbecue and award ceremony at the Gardiner Boat Ramp.

First prize is $10,000, with many other cash and merchandise prizes including four $500 mystery fish prizes. The total prize ladder is expected to reach $20,000.

Tickets can be purchased at many area merchants and cost $40 for one or all three days. Tickets can also be purchased online for $44 though the event website (www.gardinersalmonderby.org) via signmeup.com.

Ticket sales end on Monday, March 9 at retail locations, and Wednesday, March 11, for online sales.

Held for more than 40 years, the derby spans 500 square miles of fishing the north Olympic Peninsula, with weigh stations at five launch ramps: Freshwater Bay, Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, John Wayne Marina in Sequim, Gardiner Beach and Port Townsend Boat Haven. Derby volunteers inspect and weigh submitted fish, which are then returned to the angler.

Part of the Northwest Marine Trade Association’s (NMTA) Northwest Fishing Derby Series, this event is hosted by the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that supports area scholarships, community and emergency services.

Ticket holders are automatically entered into the NMTA prize boat drawing to be awarded later this year. The 2020 boat is a fully-loaded KingFisher 2025 Escape Hardtop valued at more than $75,000, powered with Yamaha 200 and 9.9 horsepower motors on an EZ-Loader trailer, fully rigged with Shoxs seats, Scotty downriggers, Raymarine electronics, a Dual Electronics stereo, a WhoDat Tower and Burnewiin accessories.

The 2020 prize boat will be on display at the awards ceremony on Sunday, March 15.

Visit www.gardinersalmonderby.org or www.facebook.com/salmonderby for ticket sale locations, online ticket sales and more details.

Questions regarding ticket sales, prize donations or derby rules can also be emailed to kathy@gardinersalmonderby.org.