July 25 and Aug 29, 2025
On the first and last Friday of the Silver Salmon Derby, the Valdez Fish Derbies has a bonus prize for the angler catching the largest fish for the day.
In addition to the daily prizes, the derby angler catching the largest silver will win $500 cash.
There’s no additional cost to participate in Big Prize Friday. Just purchase a regular derby ticket and if you catch the largest fish during Big Prize Friday – the $500 is a bonus!
2024 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, July 26
1st Place
Henry LaTowsky
Scottsdale, AZ
9.92 lbs on July 26
Kai Moana
Friday, August 30
1st Place
Tommy Quigley
Valdez, AK
12.50 lbs on Aug 30
Shore
2023 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, July 28
Sue Bless
Fairbanks, AK
11.02 lbs. on July 28
R401K
Friday, September 1
Kevin James
Hampton, NH
10.28 lbs. on Sept 1
Hooked Up
2022 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, July 29
Tyler Amison
North Pole, AK
10.22 lbs. on July 29
Jaime Lynn
Friday, September 2
John Wyman
Fairbanks, AK
12.08 lbs. on Sept 2
Private
2021 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, July 30
Dan Garncarz
North Pole, AK
11.10 lbs on July 30
Round III
Friday, September 3
Verla Austin
Wasilla, AK
11.76 lbs. on September 3
Sea Ark
2020 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, July 31
Tracy Gilson
Valdez, AK
10.80 lbs on July 31
No Name
Friday, September 4
Matthew Bizzarro
Fairbanks, AK
11.76 lbs on September 4
Shore
2019 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, July 26
Anne Branshaw
Valdez, AK
10.86 lbs. on July 26
High Mark
Friday, August 30
John McCay
Valdez, AK
12.46 lbs. on August 30
Old Man and the C
2018 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, Aug 31
Brett Adair
Rosehill, KS
14.32 lbs. on August 31
Shore
2017 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, Sept 1
Michael Swisher
Finjsburg, MD
14.38 lbs. on September 1
Offshore
2016 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, Sept 2
Don Sturm
Waukee, IA
16.28 lbs. on September 2
Allison Point
2015 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, August 28
Anthony Cunningham
Valdez, AK
12.44 lbs. on August 28
From Shore
Friday, September 4
Ralph Evans
Marietta, GA
12.76 lbs. on September 4
Dawn Treader
2014 Big Prize Friday Winners
Friday, July 26
Lavonne Kennedy
Valdez, AK
13.34 lbs. July 26
Private: Lady LaVonne
Friday, August 30
Michael Freerksen
Valdez, AK
16.92 lbs. on Aug 28
Crista June