Big Therriault Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1932–2024 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Big Therriault Lake was last stocked August 17, 2024 with Cutthroat Trout. Big Therriault Lake has 50 stocking records on file, spanning 1932–2024, with about 295,281 fish stocked over that period.
When Big Therriault Lake is stocked
Big Therriault Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 21 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Big Therriault 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 Big Therriault 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 Big Therriault Lake was last stocked August 17, 2024, 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 Therriault 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).
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.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
Recommended Tackle for Big Therriault 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 Big Therriault Lake, freshest activity first.
Eureka Pond
9 mi2 species · 105 records
Last stocked June 2026
Little Therriault Lake
1 mi1 species · 35 records
Last stocked August 2024
Bluebird Lake
3 mi1 species · 19 records
Last stocked August 2024
Lower Wolverine Lake
3 mi1 species · 17 records
Last stocked August 2024
Upper Wolverine Lake
3 mi1 species · 18 records
Last stocked July 2023
No Name Lake
4 mi2 species · 15 records
Last stocked July 2023
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 17, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,250 | 1.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,870 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,599 | 1.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,327 | 1.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 22, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,604 | 1.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,050 | 1.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,200 | 1.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,050 | 3.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,682 | 4.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 385 | 10.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,314 | 1.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,028 | 8.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,058 | 3.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,028 | 8.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,080 | 4.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,242 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,628 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,167 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 816 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,324 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,140 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,097 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,994 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,952 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,002 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1985 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,003 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,016 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,006 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 28,782 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1972 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 29, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,060 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 28, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,060 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 1966 | Cutthroat Trout | 44,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1944 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1944 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1944 | Brook Trout | 2,150 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1944 | Brook Trout | 2,150 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,767 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1932 | Coho Salmon | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1932 | Coho Salmon | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Big Therriault Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Big Therriault Lake was last stocked August 17, 2024 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Big Therriault Lake?
Big Therriault Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Big Therriault Lake stocked?
Big Therriault Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Big Therriault Lake stocked?
Big Therriault Lake is stocked intermittently — 50 recorded stockings between 1932 and 2024.
How many fish have been stocked in Big Therriault Lake?
About 295,281 fish have been stocked in Big Therriault Lake across 50 recorded events since 1932, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Big Therriault Lake?
Fish stocked in Big Therriault Lake average about 3.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Big Therriault 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 Big Therriault Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Big Therriault 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.