Big Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1924–1995 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Big Creek was last stocked August 14, 1995 with Cutthroat Trout. Big Creek has 237 stocking records on file, spanning 1924–1995, with about 3,812,005 fish stocked over that period.
When Big Creek is stocked
Big Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 71 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Big Creek
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 Big Creek, 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 Big Creek was last stocked August 14, 1995, 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 Big Creek:
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).
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.
Mountain Whitefish Profile Tips
Increasingly targeted by fly anglers as a light-tackle challenge; frequently caught incidentally while trout fishing.
Recommended Tackle for Big Creek
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 Big Creek, freshest activity first.
Upsata Lake
6 mi2 species · 61 records
Last stocked September 2024
North Fork Blackfoot River
3 mi2 species · 71 records
Last stocked June 1992
Kleinschmidt Creek
7 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 1990
Shoup Lake
7 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked July 1986
Monture Creek
3 mi2 species · 122 records
Last stocked July 1969
Warren Creek
0 mi2 species · 51 records
Last stocked September 1953
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 14, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,320 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,320 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,509 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,509 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,316 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,316 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,277 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,036 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 15, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,277 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,036 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,000 | 0.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,100 | 5.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,100 | 5.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,320 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,496 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,496 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,760 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,760 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,552 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,759 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,759 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,054 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,054 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 9, 1976 | Mountain Whitefish | 100,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 9, 1976 | Mountain Whitefish | 100,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,840 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,840 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 51,792 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 51,792 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 11, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 30,868 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 11, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 30,868 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 5, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 73,278 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 5, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 73,278 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 4, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 65,136 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 4, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 65,136 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 32,864 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 32,864 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 44,368 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 44,368 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 23, 1974 | Mountain Whitefish | 118,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 23, 1974 | Mountain Whitefish | 118,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 1,142 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 1,142 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 70,380 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 70,380 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 1,101 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 1,101 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 237 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Big Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Big Creek was last stocked August 14, 1995 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Big Creek?
Big Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Trout (unspecified), Salmon, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Big Creek stocked?
Big Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Big Creek stocked?
Big Creek has been stocked about 3 times a year — 237 recorded stockings between 1924 and 1995.
How many fish have been stocked in Big Creek?
About 3,812,005 fish have been stocked in Big Creek across 237 recorded events since 1924, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Big Creek?
Fish stocked in Big Creek average about 3.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Big Creek?
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 Big Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Big Creek 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.