Blue Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1938–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Blue Lake was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout. Blue Lake has 112 stocking records on file, spanning 1938–2026, with about 143,725 fish stocked over that period.
When Blue Lake is stocked
Blue Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 25 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Blue 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 Blue 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 Blue Lake was last stocked May 8, 2026, 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 Blue 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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Blue 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.
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 Blue Lake, freshest activity first.
Shelf Lake
7 mi1 species · 18 records
Last stocked August 2024
Upper Holland Lake
7 mi1 species · 18 records
Last stocked July 2022
Lower Necklace Lake
6 mi1 species · 10 records
Last stocked October 2021
Upper Necklace Lake
7 mi1 species · 10 records
Last stocked October 2021
Woodward Lake
7 mi1 species · 28 records
Last stocked August 2020
Necklace Lake #6
7 mi1 species · 14 records
Last stocked July 2012
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 3.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,582 | 3.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,020 | 2.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 3.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,008 | 2.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,652 | 4.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 1.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,653 | 4.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2022 | Brook Trout | 999 | 1.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,649 | 3.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,020 | 2.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,648 | 4.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2020 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,649 | 4.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 1.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2019 | Brook Trout | 958 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,651 | 4.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 3.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2018 | Brook Trout | 989 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 4.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 900 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 2017 | Brook Trout | 998 | 2.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,648 | 4.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2016 | Brook Trout | 1,011 | 1.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,652 | 3.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2015 | Brook Trout | 1,217 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,353 | 2.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 1,509 | 4.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 9.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,134 | 8.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,014 | 5.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,115 | 3.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 520 | 8.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,530 | 3.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 562 | 3.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 987 | 9.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 1,640 | 3.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,500 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,060 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 18.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 1,074 | 7.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 57 | 17.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 509 | 1.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 1,035 | 3.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,020 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 112 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Blue Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Blue Lake was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Blue Lake?
Blue Lake is stocked with Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Blue Lake stocked?
Blue Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Blue Lake stocked?
Blue Lake has been stocked about 1 times a year — 112 recorded stockings between 1938 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Blue Lake?
About 143,725 fish have been stocked in Blue Lake across 112 recorded events since 1938, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Blue Lake?
Fish stocked in Blue Lake average about 3.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Blue 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 Blue Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Blue 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.