Big Spring Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1981 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Big Spring Creek was last stocked July 2, 1981 with Rainbow Trout. Big Spring Creek has 1,201 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1981, with about 8,704,673 fish stocked over that period.
When Big Spring Creek is stocked
Big Spring Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in May — 131 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Big Spring 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 Spring 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 Spring Creek was last stocked July 2, 1981, 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 Spring 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.
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 Big Spring 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Big Spring Creek, freshest activity first.
Upper Carters Pond
11 mi6 species · 158 records
Last stocked June 2026
Carters Pond
11 mi3 species · 73 records
Last stocked May 2026
Barta Pond
7 mi1 species · 62 records
Last stocked July 2025
Boy Scout Pond
9 mi1 species · 28 records
Last stocked June 2019
Warm Spring Creek
9 mi6 species · 662 records
Last stocked July 2013
Deerfield Reservoir
4 mi1 species · 8 records
Last stocked May 1990
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 29, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 31,414 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 29, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 31,414 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,325 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,325 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 11, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,325 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,325 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,346 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,346 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,346 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,754 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,754 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,754 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,754 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,754 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,754 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,244 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,244 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,244 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,244 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,815 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,815 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,224 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,224 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,326 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,326 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,326 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,326 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,326 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 1,681 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 1,681 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 816 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 816 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 1,683 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 1,683 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 1,591 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 1,591 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 2,203 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Big Spring Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Big Spring Creek was last stocked July 2, 1981 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Big Spring Creek?
Big Spring Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Big Spring Creek stocked?
Big Spring Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in May.
How often is Big Spring Creek stocked?
Big Spring Creek has been stocked about 22 times a year — 1,201 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1981.
How many fish have been stocked in Big Spring Creek?
About 8,704,673 fish have been stocked in Big Spring Creek across 1,201 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Big Spring Creek?
Fish stocked in Big Spring Creek average about 6.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Big Spring 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 Spring Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Big Spring 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.