A new record has been set for the largest Chinook, or king salmon, caught in Montana. Weighing in at a remarkable 32.62 pounds, the catch was made on August 9, 2024, at Fort Peck Lake by Malta native, Jim Fauth, while fishing alongside his wife and friends. What started as a leisurely day on the water turned into a record-breaking moment that will be remembered for years to come.
A Day of Fishing Turns Monumental
Fauth and his companions began their trip hoping to catch a few salmon to stock their freezer. After three hours of waiting with no success, they were preparing to lower their expectations—until a substantial tug on Fauth’s line changed everything. Describing the moment, he recalled, “It came in fairly quick. It took a lot of line off in a hurry, but once I got it stopped and slowed up and moving back toward the boat, it came in good.”
At first glance, Fauth believed his catch to weigh between 15 and 20 pounds. However, a quick attempt to weigh it on his boat’s scale, combined with its impressive size, suggested this fish was far more remarkable. Further verification revealed it had surpassed the previous record of 32.09 pounds set in 2020.
Official Weigh-In Confirms Record
Upon realizing the potential significance of his catch, Fauth took careful steps to document it properly. He noted, “We didn’t really understand that you really want to get them to the scale as quick as you can, because they do lose weight as time goes on.” The fish was eventually officially weighed by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) officials in Glasgow. Measuring 38 inches in length and boasting a girth of 28 inches, Fauth’s Chinook salmon was officially confirmed as a new state record.
An Exceptional Catch with a Unique Journey
As a seasoned angler who had never caught anything that qualified for record status, Fauth humbly admitted he was not planning on surpassing his milestone. “I don’t plan on topping that because I don’t think that happens twice in a lifetime,” he remarked. To honor the fish, he has opted to have it mounted by Rich White, an award-winning fish taxidermist and 2024 world champion for cold-water fish taxidermy, based in Billings at Northern Anglers Taxidermy. “That’s one of the largest freshwater fish I’ve probably done other than saltwater,” noted White, emphasizing the unique size and rarity of such a catch in Montana’s Fort Peck Reservoir.]
The Challenge and Joy of Landing a King Salmon
The record-breaking catch reflects not only the thrill of sport fishing but also the challenges posed by landing a king salmon of such magnitude. Rich White explained, “For a king salmon land-locked, that’s really cool because it’s a super-deep fish, really neat. It’s not very often that the fish like that’s caught.”
For Fauth, using a rod gifted by his uncle 25 years ago and fishing from an old pontoon, the experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement of angling. “An old boat, old fishing rod—it doesn’t matter. If you’re in the right spot, good things can still happen,” he said.
Looking Forward to More Adventures
Despite his impressive accomplishment, Fauth remains focused on the simple joys of fishing. After winning a local fishing competition at Fort Peck Lake that same week with his record catch, he took home a $50 gift certificate. “That doesn’t quite buy the fuel to drive up to Fort Peck, but what a great time we had,” he joked.
Fauth and his friends are already planning their next fishing adventure, ready to cast their lines again. Reflecting on his record-breaking catch, Fauth expressed his surprise and gratitude, saying, “I just wanted to catch a fish. I wasn’t banking on all this other stuff, but my family is happy for me and I’m gonna enjoy it.”
Tips for Aspiring Record-Breakers
Montana anglers hoping to set their own state records should keep a few things in mind:
- Do not clean or freeze the fish; keep it cool, ideally on ice.
- Photograph the fish for documentation.
- Ensure the fish is weighed on a certified scale and obtain a weight receipt and an affidavit if possible.
- Contact a Montana FWP office for verification by a fisheries biologist.
As Fauth’s story demonstrates, any fishing trip could turn into a once-in-a-lifetime record-breaking adventure.
Image/Source: KRTV
