by Fort Peck Biologist Heath Headley on October 6, 2025
It’s that time of year again where FWP fish and hatchery staff will be collecting Chinook salmon for spawning.
We’ve been out doing some preliminary electrofishing efforts – but it’s still early on with mostly males present and with some females that are still green (not releasing eggs because of the warm temps).
Starting this week, we’ll be actively collecting salmon. Please be aware of fishery crews and our electrofishing efforts, as we may be near areas where angling activities are taking place. These efforts are crucial to obtaining enough eggs for the hatchery to continue this popular and unique fishery.
Salmon snagging/angling tips:
The salmon snagging and archery season began on Oct. 1. The archery season runs through Oct. 15 and the snagging season runs through Nov. 30.
Due to the often-congested nature of salmon snagging in areas that have concentrated fish, anglers should use common courtesy and ethics regarding other shore anglers and bow-anglers.
In addition, anglers should not clean, fillet, or leave carcasses on docks, ramps, or shorelines. Not only is this unsightly and unethical, in can bring in scavengers and other unwanted pests to these areas. There are much better places to dispose of these fish elsewhere.
Best of luck with the salmon season!
Pictured above is a male salmon that was collected Monday, October 6, 2025
