Tickets are now on sale for the 2017 Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby. This year’s annual event, held for more than 40 years, will be Presidents Day Weekend, Feb. 17-19, capped by an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19.

First prize is $10,000, with many other cash and merchandise prizes including four $500 mystery fish prizes.

Tickets may be purchased at many area merchants and cost $40 for one or all three days.

Tickets also may be purchased online for $42.50 though the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association’s website via PayPal. Visit www.gardinersalmonderby.org for ticket sale locations, online ticket sales and other details.

Ticket sales end on Feb. 15.

This Winter Blackmouth Classic derby, part of the Northwest Marine Trade Association’s (NMTA) Northwest Salmon Derby Series, uses selective fishery (clipped-fin hatchery fish only).

This event is hosted by the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that supports area scholarships, community and emergency services for Gardiner, Diamond Point, Blyn and nearby communities.

The event 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.

Ticket holders are automatically entered into the association’s prize boat drawing to be awarded later this year. The 2017 boat is a fully loaded, Hewescraft 220 OceanPro valued at $85,000, powered with a Honda 250 and 9.9 horsepower motors on an EZ-Loader Tandem axle galvanized trailer, fully rigged with Scotty downriggers, Raymarine electronics and a Dual Electronics stereo.

Winners of the 2015 and 2016 boats were both anglers in the Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby.

The 2017 boat will be on display at the awards ceremony on Feb. 19, starting with a free barbecue at noon at the Gardiner Boat Ramp.

For more information, call Gardiner Salmon Derby president Kathy Watrous at 797-0058.