Ashley Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1924–2023 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Ashley Lake was last stocked September 14, 2023 with Rainbow Trout. Ashley Lake has 364 stocking records on file, spanning 1924–2023, with about 11,275,077 fish stocked over that period.
When Ashley Lake is stocked
Ashley Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 90 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Ashley 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 Ashley 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 Ashley Lake was last stocked September 14, 2023, 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 Ashley 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.
Cutthroat Trout Profile Tips
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
Recommended Tackle for Ashley 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Ashley Lake, freshest activity first.
Bootjack Lake
10 mi4 species · 145 records
Last stocked June 2026
Loon Lake
10 mi7 species · 182 records
Last stocked May 2026
Rogers Lake
8 mi3 species · 112 records
Last stocked September 2024
Little Bitterroot Lake
7 mi6 species · 411 records
Last stocked June 2024
Mcwhorters Pond
7 mi2 species · 26 records
Last stocked June 2001
Carl Rhodes Pond
8 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 1981
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 31,206 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 37,696 | 1.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 32,000 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 38,000 | 1.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 38,000 | 1.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 38,354 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 36,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 3, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 31,850 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 20, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 34,508 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 24,033 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 16,192 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 21,600 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 28,288 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 21,505 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 22,040 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 1,771 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 4,505 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 13,156 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 12,375 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 1982 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 1982 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1982 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,900 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,020 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,985 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,103 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,942 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,770 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,524 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,770 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 30,006 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,952 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,196 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,992 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,800 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,022 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,341 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 13, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,612 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 47,736 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1972 | Cutthroat Trout | 55,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1971 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,350 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 1971 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,172 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 24,998 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,270 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1966 | Cutthroat Trout | 50,295 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 364 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Ashley Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Ashley Lake was last stocked September 14, 2023 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Ashley Lake?
Ashley Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, Kokanee, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Ashley Lake stocked?
Ashley Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Ashley Lake stocked?
Ashley Lake has been stocked about 4 times a year — 364 recorded stockings between 1924 and 2023.
How many fish have been stocked in Ashley Lake?
About 11,275,077 fish have been stocked in Ashley Lake across 364 recorded events since 1924, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Ashley Lake?
Fish stocked in Ashley Lake average about 4.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Ashley 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 Ashley Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Ashley 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.