We’ve all been there. You pack up the heavy gear, set your sights on a legendary predator, and head out to the water with dreams of glory. But the universe? The universe usually has its own punchline ready.
Just ask Helena local Tod Smitham.
Tod and his buddy Jonathan Miller hit up Salmon Lake with one goal in mind: catch some northern pike. But as anyone who has ever stared at a motionless bobber for hours knows, sometimes you just need to pivot.
Taking a breather from the pike grind, Tod decided to downsize his rig. He threw on a smaller bait, hoping to entice a modest trout or perch just to get some action.
Instead, he hooked into an absolute unit of a Largescale Sucker. Because, hey, suckers have to eat too.
As it turns out, this particular fish had been eating very well.
Here is how the new king of Montana suckers shapes up against the old titleholder:
| Stat | The New Record (Tod Smitham) | The Old Record (Wade Merschat) |
| Weight | 6.86 lbs 🏆 | 6.72 lbs |
| Length | 24.5 inches | 25.25 inches |
| Location | Salmon Lake | Noxon Reservoir |
| Date | Recently | June 2024 |
That’s right—Tod’s fish was actually nearly an inch shorter than Wade Merschat’s 2024 record-holder from Noxon Reservoir, but it easily took the crown by being an absolute tank, weighing in at a thumping 6.86 pounds.
Salmon Lake: A Western Montana Gem Worth Knowing
Salmon Lake sits in the Clearwater Valley of western Montana, just off Highway 83 between Seeley Lake and Missoula. It’s part of the stunning Clearwater Chain of Lakes — a series of glacially carved bodies of water that draw anglers, paddlers, and wildlife watchers throughout the warmer months. The lake is relatively accessible, with a state park and boat launch managed by Montana State Parks, making it a popular weekend destination for families and serious anglers alike.
The lake is best known among local anglers for its northern pike population, which has made it a go-to destination for those chasing the toothy predators that have established themselves across much of western and central Montana. But as Tod discovered, Salmon Lake holds more than just pike. The same rich, productive water that feeds oversized pike is apparently also capable of producing record-breaking suckers.
Why Was Tod Even Targeting Pike?
Northern pike have become one of Montana’s most sought-after freshwater sport fish, particularly in the lakes and reservoirs of the western and eastern parts of the state. Salmon Lake has a solid reputation for producing pike in the multi-pound range, and during late spring and early summer, pike tend to be especially active as they move into shallower water following the spawn.
For pike fishing, anglers typically go heavy — larger rods, steel or fluorocarbon leaders to handle those razor-sharp teeth, and big flashy baits like spoons, large swimbaits, or live suckers (yes, the irony here is not lost on us). When the bite is on, pike fishing at Salmon Lake can be genuinely world-class. When it’s off, well, you get what Tod got — a very different kind of trophy.
What Exactly Is a Largescale Sucker?
The Largescale Sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus) is a native fish species found throughout much of the Pacific Northwest and into the Rocky Mountain region, including Montana. It’s one of several sucker species present in Montana waters, but it tends to grow the largest of the bunch under the right conditions.
As the name suggests, Largescale Suckers have noticeably large scales and a distinctive downturned, fleshy mouth adapted for bottom feeding — they vacuum up algae, invertebrates, and organic debris from lake and river floors. They’re built like a torpedo, with deep, thick bodies that pack on weight even when they don’t grow impressively long. That’s exactly what makes Tod’s fish so remarkable: at 24.5 inches, it was shorter than the previous record, but it was so deep-bodied and dense that it outweighed the old record by nearly a quarter pound.
Suckers don’t get a lot of love in the angling community, but they’re an important part of Montana’s aquatic ecosystem. They serve as a key forage species for larger predators like pike, walleye, and even large trout. In fact, many pike anglers use sucker meat or whole small suckers as bait — which makes this story even more deliciously ironic.
The Accidental Record: How It Actually Happened
Tod’s catch is a perfect case study in the value of adaptability on the water. When the pike weren’t cooperating, he made a smart, low-ego decision: he downsized. Swapping out a large pike rig for a lighter setup with smaller bait is exactly the kind of mid-session adjustment that separates anglers who go home with stories from those who go home empty-handed.
He wasn’t expecting much — maybe a small perch or a trout to break the monotony. Instead, he got a fish that will be in the Montana record books indefinitely, or at least until someone else stumbles onto an even fatter sucker.
The lesson here is genuinely useful: record fish don’t always come from record-chasing. Sometimes the biggest fish in the lake ends up on the end of a light rig thrown by a guy who just wanted to feel a tug on the line.
How Montana Fish Records Are Verified
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) maintains the official state record database for all recognized fish species caught in Montana waters. For a catch to qualify as an official state record, it generally needs to be weighed on a certified scale with witnesses present, and the angler must submit the appropriate paperwork to FWP for review and approval.
The process is designed to be straightforward, but it does require some advance preparation on the angler’s part. If you think you’ve caught something potentially record-worthy, the best move is to keep the fish alive if possible, find a certified scale (many sporting goods stores and FWP offices have them), and document everything thoroughly — photos, witnesses, location, and date. Always check the current FWP regulations and record submission guidelines, as requirements can be updated.
Tod apparently did everything right, and the record was confirmed. The Largescale Sucker category now has a new king, and he lives in Helena.
Tips for Fishing Salmon Lake This Season
Whether you’re headed to Salmon Lake for pike, trout, or just to see what bites, here are a few practical notes worth keeping in mind:
Timing Your Trip
Late spring through early summer tends to be prime time for Salmon Lake. Pike are active post-spawn, perch school up in fishable concentrations, and the weather is generally cooperative. Summer weekends can bring heavy recreational boat traffic, so early morning starts are both strategically and practically smart.
Gear Considerations
If pike are your primary target, bring a heavier rod in the medium-heavy to heavy range with a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader. For more versatile fishing — the kind that might accidentally produce a state record — a medium-light spinning setup with 6–10 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon gives you options. Smaller jigs, worms, and light spinners work well for a range of species and clearly have record-breaking potential.
Access and Amenities
Salmon Lake State Park offers a boat ramp, picnic areas, and camping, making it easy to turn a fishing day trip into an overnight adventure. The campground fills up on summer weekends, so reservations through Montana State Parks are a smart move if you’re planning ahead.
Regulations
Always check the current FWP fishing regulations before heading out. Pike regulations, season dates, and slot limits can vary by water body and are updated periodically. Salmon Lake falls within a specific FWP fishing district, and it’s worth a five-minute review of the regs before you launch.
The Record Books Are Always Open
Next time you’re out on the water and your main target isn’t biting, don’t sleep on the backup plan. Downsize that bait, keep your expectations low, and you just might end up in the state record books for a fish you weren’t even trying to catch.
Montana’s record books are full of surprises, and the Largescale Sucker category has now turned over twice in back-to-back years — first with Wade Merschat’s catch at Noxon Reservoir in June 2024, and now with Tod Smitham’s even heavier fish from Salmon Lake. That kind of turnover in a record category suggests that big suckers are out there in Montana waters, largely going unnoticed, waiting for the right angler with the right rig at the right moment to pull them up.
It also speaks to the health of Montana’s lakes and reservoirs. Big fish don’t grow big in poor habitat. The fact that Salmon Lake is producing record-caliber suckers alongside its trophy pike says something good about the water quality and forage base in the Clearwater Valley.
Congratulations to Tod on the historic haul! As for the pike, they’re officially on notice.
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