Montana Fish Report

Ocean waters from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. will be open for one last day of coho salmon fishing this Friday, Sept. 21. This will be the fifth open day for the 2018 non selective coho season. During the first two Friday and Saturday open periods, anglers have averaged more than one fish for every two anglers with a total catch of 5,422 coho.

With a revised quota of 7,600 coho, that leaves 2,178 coho available for harvest. Based on catches to date, it should be enough coho for one day of fishing, but not two, according Eric Schindler, ODFW ocean salmon manager.

“The September non selective coho season has worked out very well this year with very good success rates from Newport to Charleston,” Schindler said. “We have seen a lot of happy anglers with nice-size coho coming in this month.”

Fishing for Chinook salmon remains open seven days a week through October (in October fishing is limited to inside the 40 fathom regulatory line), but

Chinook catches have been slow most of this season. Anglers are reminded that when fishing for salmon in the ocean no more than two single point barbless hooks are allowed. The hook rules also apply when fishing for any other species if a salmon has been retained.