The 48th annual Bluewater Anglers' Salmon Derby will kick off on Friday with dozens of available prizes and over $45,000 in cash up for grabs.
Anglers will descend upon lower Lake Huron and the upper St. Clair River from May 3 until May 12.
Salmon Derby Chairman Daniel Harbaugh said the event typically sees about 2,000 participants. He said some people will travel from areas including London, Strathroy, Windsor, and Michigan, U.S.
Harbaugh said there are a few changes to this year's event, including a new grand prize of $7,500 for the largest salmon, donated by the Village of Point Edward.
"Our second biggest change is our walleye category has had improved prizing with $2,500 from Xtreme Marine being gifted to first place," he said. "The last major change to this year is our daily draw prize which has typically been a cooler is now an Engel live bait cooler," he said.
Money raised through the derby will go back into the Bluewater Anglers Hatchery to cover operational expenses.
The 5,000-square-foot facility, located in Point Edward, has the capacity to raise over 150,000 different types of fish including rainbow trout and chinook salmon. Fish raised in the hatchery are later released into area waterways.
Harbaugh called the derby their "number one fundraiser."
Last year's Salmon Derby winner was Keith Anderson, he caught an 18.28 pound Chinook.
Harbaugh outlined the most important things to remember for the derby.
"Make sure you have a fishing license, everyone in your boat has a fishing derby ticket, and lastly, just be kind on the water and follow the regulations," he said.