Montana’s Shocking Monster State Record Salmon…That Isn’t

It's a whopper of a fish tale that's more than a story. It’s a lightning rod! And here's why you will never see it in the state record books.

THE EXCITEMENT MUST HAVE BEEN ELECTRIC

Angela Montana with the Montana Outdoor Radio Show shared her take on all the buzz generated by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks during a recent egg-take study on Fort Peck Reservoir.

As Angela describes it, there are fish stories, and then there is the news coming out of Fort Peck this fall, delivered with a jolt. Word around the ramps is that the biggest king salmon Montana FWP crews have shocked up for the annual egg take is a 36-pound male, a hooked-jawed brute held up for the camera by hatchery culturist Ryan Lott.

RECORD REMAINS SAFE. FOR NOW

YAY OR NAY ON INCLUDING SNAGGING?

But, this big one met the electro-fishing boat and the spawn-taking probe. Wade Geraets, FWP Hatchery Manager, says this year's egg capacity is about 800,000, with 361,000 eggs collected as of last week according to Tyler Haddix, Montana FWP fisheries biologist…which is roughly 45 percent of capacity.

So, what do you think? If someone had landed this giant by snagging, do you agree that it still should be listed under the same record as one caught on tackle?

An ongoing debate that most likely will never be settled.