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Guide To Fishing For Salmon In Montana

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All about fishing for coho and kokanee salmon in MT.

Salmon fishing in Montana

There is a nice variety of salmon fishing in MT. Several major lakes including Ashley Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Georgetown Lake, Hauser Lake, Holter Reservoir, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, McDonald Lake, Noxon Reservoir, Seeley Lake and Swan Lake all have populations of salmon. Also try your luck in the tributary rivers that flow into or out of these lakes.

Fishing Boats For Rent In Montana

Fishing for salmon in Montana

Chinook Salmon

Chinook salmon

World record: 97 lbs 4 oz

State Record: 31.13 lbs

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon

World record: 33 lbs 7 oz

State Record: 4.88 lbs

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee salmon

World record: 9 lbs 10 oz

State Record: 7.85 lbs

Click the images and links above for species details.

Montana State Record Salmon

The state record chinook salmon came from Fort Peck Reservoir.

The state record coho salmon was caught in Fort Peck Reservoir.

The record kokanee salmon was taken out of Hauser Lake

About The Pacific Salmon Family

Pacific Salmon are born in and remain in freshwater streams for the early years of life. The number varies by species. Afterward they migrate to the Pacific Ocean waters where they bulk up and prepare for their once in a lifetime spawning run up the freshwater stream where they were born. They will instinctively return to their birthplace, spawn and die. They are found in the streams which empty into the ocean, and adjoining ocean waters.

The preferred method for catching salmon is fly fishing. Depending on the activity level, salmon may be caught on wet or dry flies. For more details check here for articles about fly fishing.

Salmon Organizations

Atlantic Salmon Federation

Atlantic Salmon Trust

Atlantic Salmon Museum

Pacific Salmon Commission

Pacific Salmon Foundation

Montana Salmon Fishing

The preferred method for catching salmon is fly fishing. Depending on the activity level, salmon may be caught on wet or dry flies, as well as a variety of other lures and baits.

 

Salmon fishing waters and information, by state.

AK Salmon Fishing CA Salmon Fishing CO Salmon Fishing ID Salmon Fishing IL Salmon Fishing IN Salmon Fishing MA Salmon Fishing ME Salmon Fishing
MI Salmon Fishing MN Salmon Fishing MT Salmon Fishing NC Salmon Fishing ND Salmon Fishing NE Salmon Fishing NH Salmon Fishing
NJ Salmon Fishing NM Salmon Fishing NV Salmon Fishing NY Salmon Fishing OH Salmon Fishing OR Salmon Fishing PA Salmon Fishing
RI Salmon Fishing SD Salmon Fishing TX Salmon Fishing VT Salmon Fishing WA Salmon Fishing WI Salmon Fishing WY Salmon Fishing
 

Learn the life cycle of salmon

The more you know about the life cycle and seasonal migration of salmon, the more likely you are to be looking in the right area next time you visit Montana salmon fishing waters. Visit the salmon fishing page for more information about the life cycle of the different species of salmon.

Contribute MT Salmon Fishing Knowledge

If you have information, articles or photos relating to salmon fishing in Montana, which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration.

Best salmon fishing waters in Montana!