Bearpaw Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1960–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Bearpaw Lake was last stocked September 23, 2025 with Rainbow Trout. Bearpaw Lake has 214 stocking records on file, spanning 1960–2025, with about 1,391,143 fish stocked over that period.
When Bearpaw Lake is stocked
Bearpaw Lake is typically stocked year-round, most often in September — 73 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bearpaw 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 Bearpaw 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 Bearpaw Lake was last stocked September 23, 2025, 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 Bearpaw 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.
Bass & Panfish Approach
Target visible structure such as docks, weed lines, and fallen trees. Small 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig heads with soft plastic grubs or live worms under a float work well for crappie and bluegill; soft plastic worms or spinnerbaits work well for bass.
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 Bearpaw 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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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 Bearpaw Lake, freshest activity first.
Normandy Coulee Pond
3 mi2 species · 61 records
Last stocked June 2026
Beaver Creek Reservoir
7 mi9 species · 342 records
Last stocked April 2026
Ross Reservoir
11 mi3 species · 71 records
Last stocked September 2025
Boneau Reservoir
9 mi4 species · 111 records
Last stocked June 2011
Agency Pond
7 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked May 2008
Boxelder Creek
10 mi3 species · 47 records
Last stocked July 2002
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,031 | 7.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,086 | 8.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 | 8.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,475 | 7.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,525 | 7.72" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,606 | 7.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 7,680 | 7.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 7,400 | 7.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 7.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 7.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,393 | 7.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,346 | 6.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,400 | 6.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 10,500 | 4.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 12,604 | 7.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,148 | 7.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 6,852 | 7.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 5,049 | 7.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,906 | 7.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 9,139 | 7.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,112 | 7.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,939 | 6.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 10,118 | 3.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,543 | 7.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 10,172 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 2,757 | 6.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 5,370 | 6.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 4,004 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 6,351 | 8.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 7.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 5,063 | 6.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 6,415 | 8.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 8,804 | 7.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 5,109 | 6.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 15,502 | 6.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 5,034 | 6.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 7,550 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 7,550 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 2,016 | 7.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 3,038 | 7.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 7, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,452 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 7,530 | 8.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 6,846 | 8.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 7,462 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 7,462 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,104 | 7.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 7,744 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 9,680 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 214 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Bearpaw Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Bearpaw Lake was last stocked September 23, 2025 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Bearpaw Lake?
Bearpaw Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass.
What time of year is Bearpaw Lake stocked?
Bearpaw Lake is typically stocked year-round, most often in September.
How often is Bearpaw Lake stocked?
Bearpaw Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 214 recorded stockings between 1960 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Bearpaw Lake?
About 1,391,143 fish have been stocked in Bearpaw Lake across 214 recorded events since 1960, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Bearpaw Lake?
Fish stocked in Bearpaw Lake average about 7.3 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bearpaw 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 Bearpaw Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Bearpaw 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.