New State Record on the Line: Montana Fisherman Catches Giant Chinook Salmon

Montana might not be famous for its salmon fishing — but one local resident just proved the state definitely has some whoppers.

Jim Fauth of Malta may have set a new state record for Chinook salmon after a notable catch on Fort Peck Reservoir on Friday, Aug. 9. Pending official confirmation from the state agency, Fauth’s catch could surpass the previous record set in 2020, according to the press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Fishing east of the Fort Peck Marina around noon, Fauth used a flasher and squid rig to reel in the massive salmon, the release said.

The enormous fish tipped the scales at 32.62 pounds and measured 38 inches in length with a 28-inch girth, edging out the previous record of a 32.05-pound Chinook salmon caught in the same reservoir.

Outdoor Life delivered an excellent story on the catch, which Fauth managed to do using a 15-year-old rod from Walmart — with the original line still attached.

Fort Peck Reservoir, the only Montana waterbody that contains Chinook salmon, has been stocked with the species since 1983 by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The state manages the salmon population through annual egg collections, raising them in a local hatchery, and restocking them each spring, with a commitment to introduce a minimum of 200,000 fish annually.

The agency also had some advice for fishermen hoping to prove a record catch:

• Keep their fish cool and intact
• Seek validation from a local FWP biologist
• Weigh the fish on a certified scale
• Document the weight and measurements meticulously

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