The Kenai Silver Salmon Derby will return for its seventh year next week, running from Tuesday to Sunday, Sept. 12-17.

Liam Floyd, programs and facilities coordinator for the Kenai Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday that the event is unique among fishing derbies for its use of the “magic weight.” A wheel is spun each day of the competition and prizes are awarded to the angler who catches the fish closest to that value.

“What it does is it really encourages folks not to practice selective fishing,” he said. “It encourages to be more conscious of the salmon population while still having fun fishing.”

To participate, anglers can purchase derby tickets at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce, the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, Three Bears in Kenai and Sportsman’s Warehouse. Tickets are $10 per day or $50.

Fish caught can be weighed at Three Bears in Kenai except for on the weekend, when weigh-ins will be held at Eagle Rock Boat Launch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-17.

Each day, a magic weight will be generated, and prizes will be awarded. A grand prize winner will be named both for adults and for youth under 16 years of age at a Kenai chamber luncheon on Sept. 20.

Updates, including weigh-in times and daily results, will be posted to facebook.com/KenaiSilverSalmonDerby.

For more information, visit kenaisilversalmonderby.com.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.