Which State Stocks the Most Fish? Comparing CA, WA, NY, MT, and UT by the Numbers

Utah and Montana are almost tied for the most fish-stocking records in this dataset — 112,817 versus 111,723 — but they get there in very different ways: Utah spreads its stocking across the widest species list of any state tracked here (57 species), while Montana spreads it across the most individual waters (3,825). Here's how all five states this site tracks actually compare, by the numbers.

Key takeaways

• Utah (112,817 records) and Montana (111,723 records) are nearly tied for the most recorded stockings, with Washington close behind at 108,994.
• Montana stocks the most individual waters (3,825), more than double New York's 1,413 and eight times California's 446.
• Utah records the widest species diversity (57 distinct species), followed by Montana (52); California's dataset centers on just 2 (trout and catfish).
• Geocoding coverage — needed for map and near-me features — ranges from 100% in California and Montana down to 76.8% in Washington.
• New York's source data only reports month-level precision, not exact dates, which is why its freshness is tracked differently from the other four states.

The Headline Numbers, State by State

Ranked by total recorded stockings as of this dataset's latest release:

• Utah — 112,817 records, 1,498 waters, 57 species, stocking recorded back to 1970, most recent activity July 27, 2026.
• Montana — 111,723 records, 3,825 waters, 52 species, stocking recorded back to 1923, most recent activity June 23, 2026.
• Washington — 108,994 records, 3,312 waters, 26 species, stocking recorded back to 1995, most recent activity July 21, 2026.
• New York — 40,893 records, 1,413 waters, 20 species, stocking recorded back to 2011, most recent activity reported at month precision (June 2026).
• California — 4,429 records, 446 waters, 2 species tracked, stocking recorded back to 2023 — the newest and smallest dataset of the five.

California's low totals reflect how recently this site's California data begins (2023) and how narrowly its source report is scoped (trout and catfish only), not a smaller real-world stocking program — California's DFW trout program covers hundreds of waters that simply predate this dataset's California coverage.

Most Waters vs. Most Records: Two Different Ways to Be 'Biggest'

Montana has fewer total records than Utah but stocks more than two and a half times as many individual waters — 3,825 versus Utah's 1,498. That means Montana's program is wide and thin: lots of waters getting stocked occasionally. Utah's program is comparatively deep and concentrated: fewer waters, but many of them — like Strawberry Reservoir — stocked repeatedly and heavily. Washington sits between the two, with 3,312 waters but fewer total records than either.

Species Diversity: Not Just Trout

Utah's 57 tracked species and Montana's 52 reflect stocking programs that go well beyond trout — walleye, bass, panfish, muskellunge, pike, and even federally endangered natives like June sucker and pallid sturgeon all show up in these two states' records. New York (20 species) and Washington (26 species) are more concentrated around trout and salmon, while California's current dataset tracks essentially just trout and catfish.

• Explore the full breakdown: walleye stocking by state, bass stocking explained, panfish for family fishing, muskellunge and northern pike, and sturgeon recovery programs.

Data Quality: Precision and Map Coverage Vary by State

Not every state's source data is equally precise or equally mapped, and it's worth knowing the difference before you rely on it for a trip:

• California and Montana: 100% of records include GPS coordinates, so every stocked water shows up on the map and in near-me searches.
• Utah: 99.8% geocoded (112,595 of 112,817 records).
• New York: 88.4% geocoded (36,156 of 40,893 records), and dates are reported at month precision rather than an exact day — see our guide to data accuracy for what that means in practice.
• Washington: 76.8% geocoded (83,757 of 108,994 records) — the lowest of the five, meaning roughly a quarter of Washington's stocking records can't be placed on a map.

What Each State's Top Species Says About Its Program

The most-stocked species in each state hints at what kind of fishery each program is built around:

• California — Trout (unspecified), 4,376 records: almost entirely undifferentiated put-and-take trout.
• Washington — Rainbow Trout, 52,036 records, followed by Chinook and Coho salmon: a trout-and-salmon program built around both stocked ponds and anadromous fisheries.
• New York — Brown Trout, 22,200 records, followed by Brook and Rainbow Trout: New York leans on brown trout more than any other state tracked here.
• Montana — Rainbow Trout, 64,512 records, followed by Cutthroat Trout: the widest program by water count, still trout-dominated at the top.
• Utah — Rainbow Trout, 78,355 records, followed by Cutthroat Trout and Brook Trout: the largest single-species total of any state, alongside the widest overall species list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state stocks the most fish overall?

By total recorded stockings, Utah (112,817) and Montana (111,723) are nearly tied for the most, with Washington close behind at 108,994. By number of distinct waters stocked, Montana is well ahead at 3,825.

Why does California show so few records compared to other states?

California's dataset on this site starts in 2023 and currently tracks only trout and catfish stocking reports, not because California's real-world program is small — CDFW stocks trout at hundreds of California waters — but because this site's California coverage is newer and more narrowly scoped than its Montana, Utah, Washington, and New York coverage.

Which state has the most species diversity in its stocking program?

Utah, with 57 distinct species recorded, narrowly ahead of Montana's 52. Both states stock well beyond trout — bass, panfish, walleye, and several federally endangered natives all appear in their records.

Why is Washington's map coverage lower than other states?

Roughly 76.8% of Washington's stocking records include GPS coordinates, versus 100% for California and Montana and 99.8% for Utah — meaning about a quarter of Washington's recorded stockings can't currently be placed on the map or surfaced in a near-me search.