Bristow Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1972–1980 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Bristow Creek was last stocked September 18, 1980 with Cutthroat Trout. Bristow Creek has 4 stocking records on file, spanning 1972–1980, with about 170,560 fish stocked over that period.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bristow 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 Bristow 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 Bristow Creek was last stocked September 18, 1980, 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 Bristow 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.
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.
Mountain Whitefish Profile Tips
Increasingly targeted by fly anglers as a light-tackle challenge; frequently caught incidentally while trout fishing.
Recommended Tackle for Bristow 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 Bristow Creek, freshest activity first.
Bull Lake
15 mi6 species · 361 records
Last stocked May 2026
Tom Poole Lake
17 mi1 species · 39 records
Last stocked August 2024
Lake Koocanusa
15 mi3 species · 532 records
Last stocked June 2024
Lake Geneva
8 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked August 2021
Grave Creek
17 mi3 species · 78 records
Last stocked August 2012
Fivemile Creek
1 mi3 species · 52 records
Last stocked August 1995
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 18, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,080 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,080 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 29, 1972 | Mountain Whitefish | 70,200 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 29, 1972 | Mountain Whitefish | 70,200 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Bristow Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Bristow Creek was last stocked September 18, 1980 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Bristow Creek?
Bristow Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Mountain Whitefish.
How often is Bristow Creek stocked?
Bristow Creek is stocked intermittently — 4 recorded stockings between 1972 and 1980.
How many fish have been stocked in Bristow Creek?
About 170,560 fish have been stocked in Bristow Creek across 4 recorded events since 1972, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Bristow Creek?
Fish stocked in Bristow Creek average about 50.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bristow 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 Bristow Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Bristow 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.