Salmon Fishing in Montana

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Overview

When you think of King Salmon fishing, most imagine heading to the Pacific Northwest to feel the power of an epic fish. Deep in northeast Montana, the Fort Peck Reservoir holds one of the most unique inland salmon fisheries in the United States. Each summer, landlocked Chinook Salmon cruise the open water in pursuit of schools of cisco, offering anglers an opportunity to experience catching chrome kings right here in the Great Plains.

At Get The Net Outfitters, we guide anglers through this amazing fishery, combining years of experience, professional gear, and local knowledge of seasonal patterns. These trips aren’t about numbers—they’re a chance to battle a fish that can exceed 25 to 30 pounds.

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About Montana’s Landlocked Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are the largest species in the Pacific salmon family. In Fort Peck Reservoir, they live their entire lives in freshwater, adapting perfectly to the lake’s vast, cold depths. The population was first established by Montana FWP in 1983, and ongoing stocking efforts have kept it healthy ever since.

These salmon feed heavily on cisco and emerald shiners, and because the lake supports an abundant forage base, Fort Peck produces Kings that rival those of the Great Lakes. Most fish range from 8–18 pounds, but 25-plus-pound trophies are caught every season.

Where We Fish

Fort Peck Reservoir is massive, over 130 miles long with more than 1,500 miles of shoreline, so knowing where to be and when is our specialty. Salmon are constantly on the move, following baitfish schools and shifting thermoclines throughout the summer.

Each outing is planned around the lake’s conditions, wind patterns, and temperature layers to keep you over active salmon all day.

Season & Peak Times

The salmon season on Fort Peck runs from mid-June through early September, with the prime window from mid-July to late August.

June: As the water warms, we start searching for King Salmon that are moving deeper and gathering near schools of bait. This marks the beginning of the salmon season, when early action starts to pick up and the hunt begins.
July: Thermoclines stabilize between 50 and 75 feet, and salmon begin feeding aggressively. This is when we catch them the most consistently and anglers enjoy steady action throughout the month.
August: Numbers peak as salmon move into our target areas, reaching their largest size of the season. The bite can happen at any time, keeping every moment on the water exciting.
September: The first week of September is our final push, as salmon begin to stage near the dam and transition into their biological change. It’s the perfect time to close out the season with a memorable catch.

Techniques & Gear

Fishing for Fort Peck salmon requires a specialized approach that blends patience, precision, and technology.

Trolling

Trolling is the most effective technique for targeting Fort Peck King Salmon. It’s a method that requires patience, precision, and the right equipment to stay in the strike zone.

Downriggers: Used to control depth precisely, often between 60 and 120 feet, keeping baits right where the salmon are feeding.
Flashers & Dodgers: Paired with trolling flies, spoons, or cut-bait rigs that mimic cisco.
Speed: 1.8 to 2.5 mph is the sweet spot for most setups, ensuring natural lure action.

We also utilize planer boards, copper lines, and dipsy diver setups to build a versatile spread that covers multiple presentations across different depths. The key to success is maintaining consistent lure action, reading sonar for bait clouds and temperature breaks, and adapting to the salmon’s movement patterns throughout the day.

Electronics & Boat Setup

We utilize advanced sonar and GPS mapping to stay locked on depth contours and bait movement. Fort Peck’s salmon roam constantly; understanding the water column and adjusting to daily changes separates a good day from a great one.

Each guided boat is equipped with top-tier electronics, precision trolling gear, and a full complement of rods, reels, and terminal tackle. All you need to bring is food, drinks, and a Montana fishing license.

Fighting a Fort Peck King

The first strike often feels like hitting a snag until the rod doubles and the drag screams. Chinook Salmon are built for raw speed. They surge, roll, and dive unpredictably, often running 200–400 feet before you can gain line. Every battle is a test of balance, drag control, and focus.

Landing one is pure satisfaction. Seeing that chrome-silver body rise through deep green water after a long fight is a moment you won’t forget. It’s no wonder anglers travel from across the Midwest and beyond just to experience it.

Trip Details

Location: Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana
Season: Mid-June through Early September
Trip Length: Full-day (≈8 hours) or multi-day charters available
Group Size: 4 to 6 anglers, depending on the boat.
Gear Provided: All rods, reels, tackle, bait, and safety gear
What to Bring: Food, beverages, layered clothing, sun protection, and a valid Montana fishing license

Multi-day packages are popular with salmon anglers who want to explore different parts of the lake or pair a salmon trip with walleye or lake-trout fishing.

Why Fort Peck Salmon Is Special

Most anglers are surprised to learn that Montana supports such an exceptional salmon fishery but Fort Peck is perfectly designed for it. Its depth, cold water, and endless forage mirror the conditions of the Pacific fjords these fish evolved in.

Unlike ocean-run salmon, Fort Peck’s Kings remain in freshwater their entire lives. They grow quickly on the lake’s abundant forage and reach maturity in about four years. Because they’re stocked annually by Montana FWP, the fishery remains stable and sustainable.

That combination of environment and management makes Fort Peck one of the most unique inland salmon destinations in the country offering a true big-water experience surrounded by sweeping prairie and badland scenery.

Preparing for Your Trip

Fort Peck is remote and conditions can change fast. We recommend bringing:

Sunscreen – The Fort Peck sun can be unforgiving.
Polarized sunglasses – for spotting surface activity and protecting your eyes.
Camera or phone – you’ll want photos of these fish.
A cooler – if you plan to keep salmon for the table.

All fishing equipment is included, and we handle rigging, setup, and coaching throughout the day. Whether it’s your first time trolling deep water or you’re chasing your personal best, our guides make the process simple and rewarding.

Book Your Montana Salmon Charter

Fort Peck Reservoir offers a rare opportunity at trophy-class Chinook Salmon in the heart of the Great Plains. Every run, every strike, every tail thump on the rod reminds you that these fish were built for open water and power.

We are King Salmon. When you think of Get The Net Outfitters, it is KING SALMON that you should think of. This is what we were founded on.

Call or text 406-230-1999 to reserve your dates and experience what many anglers call “the wildest salmon fishing between the oceans.”

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