The best salmon fishermen from throughout the Pacific Northwest are on Lake Coeur d'Alene this week setting lines in search of the big one.

They're hoping to catch the monster fish that will win one of the cash prizes in the 31st annual Big One Chinook Derby.

The event, hosted by the Lake Coeur d'Alene Anglers Association, began Wednesday and continues through Sunday.

"Last year our top fish were 20-24 pounds," Anglers Association Chairman Roger Blackstone told The Press Tuesday. "I foresee even bigger fish than that this year."

Blackstone's crystal ball seems to be working well.

The largest fish boated Wednesday was a 24.76-pound, 36.25-inch reel burner caught by Bob Wynhoff.

Blackstone said the derby attracts about 300 anglers annually. He expects about 350 this year.

The event is open to the public. Derby tickets are $30 for five days, and youths 13 and younger are free. Tickets and information is available at this year's derby headquarters: Black Sheep Sporting Goods, 3523 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, 208-667-7831.

"Everybody looks forward to this. It's a fun time," Blackstone said.

Blackstone said chinook salmon were planted in the lake in 1982 "to sort of control the kokanee population."

"It turned into a world class fishery back in the '80s, and now, more than 30 years later, the Big One is still going strong," Blackstone said.