Branum Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1959–1984 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Branum Lake was last stocked April 4, 1984 with Common Carp. Branum Lake has 49 stocking records on file, spanning 1959–1984, with about 124,654 fish stocked over that period.
When Branum Lake is stocked
Branum Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 16 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Branum 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 Branum 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 Branum Lake was last stocked April 4, 1984, 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 Branum 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.
Yellow Perch Profile Tips
A favorite ice-fishing target across the states that stock it, as well as an open-water panfish taken on small jigs and bait.
Recommended Tackle for Branum 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 Branum Lake, freshest activity first.
Spotted Eagle Lake
1 mi12 species · 101 records
Last stocked October 2025
Dean Reservoir
10 mi5 species · 38 records
Last stocked June 2024
Tongue River
2 mi13 species · 247 records
Last stocked April 2020
Fort Keogh Pond
5 mi3 species · 28 records
Last stocked April 2019
Miles City Hatchery Pond
0 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked April 2018
Cook Lake
1 mi2 species · 4 records
Last stocked June 2002
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 4, 1984 | Common Carp | 530 | 16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 2,503 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 90 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 3,200 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 2,860 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 2,960 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 2,692 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 41 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 2,810 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 2,774 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,760 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,775 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,160 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,800 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,860 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 2,772 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 2,700 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 2,760 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 2, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 90 | 26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 3,825 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 3,510 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 118 | 14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 3,580 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 3,816 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1967 | Yellow Perch | 25 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 3,024 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 6,820 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 3,200 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 570 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 1,710 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1964 | Brook Trout | 1,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 2,800 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 3,190 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 2,933 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 3,674 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 7,323 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 3,504 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 4,015 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 2,001 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 2,080 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Branum Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Branum Lake was last stocked April 4, 1984 with Common Carp.
What fish species are stocked in Branum Lake?
Branum Lake is stocked with Common Carp, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Branum Lake stocked?
Branum Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Branum Lake stocked?
Branum Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 49 recorded stockings between 1959 and 1984.
How many fish have been stocked in Branum Lake?
About 124,654 fish have been stocked in Branum Lake across 49 recorded events since 1959, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Branum Lake?
Fish stocked in Branum Lake average about 12.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Branum 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 Branum Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Branum 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.