Bridger Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1946–1953 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Bridger Creek was last stocked August 18, 1953 with Rainbow Trout. Bridger Creek has 47 stocking records on file, spanning 1946–1953, with about 312,724 fish stocked over that period.
When Bridger Creek is stocked
Bridger Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 11 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bridger 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 Bridger 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 Bridger Creek was last stocked August 18, 1953, 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 Bridger 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.
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 Bridger 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 Bridger Creek, freshest activity first.
Regional Parks Ponds
3 mi1 species · 24 records
Last stocked June 2026
Cattail Lake
2 mi1 species · 17 records
Last stocked May 2026
Valley West Pond
4 mi1 species · 12 records
Last stocked May 2026
Bozeman Pond
3 mi5 species · 389 records
Last stocked September 2025
The Lakes Subdivision
4 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked June 2025
Davis Ponds
2 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked May 1977
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 18, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 5,175 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 5,175 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1951 | Brook Trout | 6,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1951 | Brook Trout | 6,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 2,250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 5,250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 5,250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 39 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 30, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 18,300 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1950 | Brook Trout | 2,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1950 | Brook Trout | 2,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1949 | Brook Trout | 7,600 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 1,369 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 1,369 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 1948 | Brook Trout | 1,040 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 1948 | Brook Trout | 1,040 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1948 | Brook Trout | 416 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1948 | Brook Trout | 416 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1948 | Brook Trout | 360 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1948 | Brook Trout | 360 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1948 | Brook Trout | 416 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1948 | Brook Trout | 416 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1948 | Brook Trout | 41,672 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1948 | Brook Trout | 41,672 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 1948 | Brown Trout | 824 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 1948 | Brook Trout | 842 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 1948 | Brook Trout | 842 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 1948 | Brown Trout | 824 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 1948 | Brook Trout | 842 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 1948 | Brook Trout | 842 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1947 | Brook Trout | 15,180 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1947 | Brook Trout | 15,180 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1947 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1947 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 22, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 22, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 27, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 3,620 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 27, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 3,620 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 14,776 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 14,776 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1946 | Brook Trout | 19,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1946 | Brook Trout | 19,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 3,655 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 3,655 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 10,300 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Bridger Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Bridger Creek was last stocked August 18, 1953 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Bridger Creek?
Bridger Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Bridger Creek stocked?
Bridger Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Bridger Creek stocked?
Bridger Creek has been stocked about 6 times a year — 47 recorded stockings between 1946 and 1953.
How many fish have been stocked in Bridger Creek?
About 312,724 fish have been stocked in Bridger Creek across 47 recorded events since 1946, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Bridger Creek?
Fish stocked in Bridger Creek average about 5.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bridger 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 Bridger Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Bridger 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.