Ackley Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1932–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Ackley Lake was last stocked May 20, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Ackley Lake has 255 stocking records on file, spanning 1932–2026, with about 4,400,100 fish stocked over that period.
When Ackley Lake is stocked
Ackley Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 103 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Ackley Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Montana.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Ackley Lake, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Ackley Lake was last stocked May 20, 2026, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid Montana freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Montana license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Montana fish & wildlife agency.Official Montana regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Ackley Lake:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Rainbow Trout Profile Tips
The most commonly targeted stocked trout in the country, taken on bait, spinners, and flies alike; a common first fish for new anglers.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
Recommended Tackle for Ackley Lake
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Ackley Lake, freshest activity first.
Barta Pond
16 mi1 species · 62 records
Last stocked July 2025
Dipping Vat Pond
17 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked June 2025
South Fork Judith River
17 mi2 species · 171 records
Last stocked September 2011
C-1 Reservoir
14 mi3 species · 30 records
Last stocked June 2004
Middle Fork Judith River
17 mi2 species · 98 records
Last stocked August 1994
Knutson Reservoir
10 mi2 species · 14 records
Last stocked May 1984
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 10,300 | 2.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 14,670 | 4.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 10,017 | 3.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 15,346 | 4.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,683 | 2.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,317 | 8.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 15,036 | 4.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2024 | Brown Trout | 2,518 | 3.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 10,180 | 2.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2023 | Tiger Trout | 200 | 10.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 14,839 | 4.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 3.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 298 | 6.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 9,570 | 3.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 34,744 | 3.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,976 | 5.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 35,038 | 4.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 22,070 | 2.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 36,810 | 3.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 20,036 | 2.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,455 | 9.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 23,869 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 35,021 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 11,238 | 5.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,700 | 4.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 15,030 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 20,004 | 4.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 16,943 | 5.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 15,307 | 4.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 11,735 | 3.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 3,296 | 3.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 15,044 | 4.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 15,359 | 4.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 15,015 | 3.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 15,014 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 10,096 | 4.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2015 | Tiger Trout | 1,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2015 | Tiger Trout | 3,000 | 1.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2015 | Brown Trout | 2,503 | 3.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 3,657 | 5.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 11,366 | 4.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 30,014 | 3.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 7,113 | 4.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 7,914 | 4.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 30,163 | 3.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 10,098 | 4.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 30,064 | 2.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 10,018 | 3.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 17,574 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 255 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Ackley Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Ackley Lake was last stocked May 20, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Ackley Lake?
Ackley Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout, Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Ackley Lake stocked?
Ackley Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Ackley Lake stocked?
Ackley Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 255 recorded stockings between 1932 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Ackley Lake?
About 4,400,100 fish have been stocked in Ackley Lake across 255 recorded events since 1932, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Ackley Lake?
Fish stocked in Ackley Lake average about 4.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Ackley Lake?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Montana freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Montana fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Ackley Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Ackley Lake typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.