Montana Fish Report

Trout fishing is open through Oct. 31. Artificial flies, lures and bait may be used. The daily limit is 2 fish with an 8-inch minimum length. Rainbow trout over 16-inches are considered steelhead.

Chinook salmon and steelhead season is open from the river mouth to Nook Creek through Dec. 31. Anglers are picking up a few Chinook in the estuary below the Hwy 101 bridge. Both effort and catch have started to pick up. However, due to low and warm water conditions above tidewater, fishing in this part of the river doesn’t typically start for another few weeks. After recent rains, a few anglers have reported Chinook catch at Social Security Bar.

Anglers are encouraged to drop hatchery fish snouts in the kiosk at the Port of Brookings cleaning station (instructions on how to remove and package snouts is available at the kiosk). Fishing is restricted to fly- fishing or bobber fishing from river mile 2.2 through to Nook Creek from Sept. 1 through Nov. 3. Please see the southwest zone regulation exceptions in the ODFW Sport Fishing Regulations book for more details.

Anglers interested in pursuing Chinook Salmon in the ocean may want to get to get their gear ready for the fall Chinook State Waters Terminal Area or “bubble” season. Despite less than favorable weather, last weekend was a successful opener for this season. The recreational terminal fishery will continue Oct. 13-14. From the mouth (outside of the jetties) of the Chetco River out three nautical miles between Twin Rocks and the Oregon/California boarder, anglers are allowed to retain Chinook salmon per day. The minimum size limit is 28-inches. Terminal tackle is limited to no more than two single point barbless hooks. Here’s a printable pdf map of these regulations. For a visual and status update on the river bar crossing, see the NOAA bar camera webpage.