Browns Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Browns Lake was last stocked June 17, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Browns Lake has 286 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2026, with about 4,561,731 fish stocked over that period.
When Browns Lake is stocked
Browns Lake is typically stocked in summer and fall, most often in September — 85 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Browns 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 Browns 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 Browns Lake was last stocked June 17, 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 Browns 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).
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Browns 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 Browns Lake, freshest activity first.
Maddie Lake
6 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked June 2025
Diamond Lake
2 mi2 species · 33 records
Last stocked August 2024
Geary Pond
7 mi2 species · 23 records
Last stocked June 2019
North Fork Blackfoot River
6 mi2 species · 71 records
Last stocked June 1992
Nevada Creek
5 mi3 species · 56 records
Last stocked August 1990
Kleinschmidt Creek
3 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 1990
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 9,675 | 4.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 11,977 | 6.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 12,463 | 6.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 9,842 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 3.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,356 | 5.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 15,125 | 5.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 10,080 | 3.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 15,032 | 3.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 11,000 | 5.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 4,613 | 5.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 15,378 | 5.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 15,599 | 3.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,320 | 3.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 6.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,641 | 5.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 13,260 | 5.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 11,121 | 4.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 16,389 | 3.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,941 | 6.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,621 | 6.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 7.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 10,650 | 6.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 10,083 | 4.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 15,668 | 3.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | 6.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,276 | 6.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 10,465 | 6.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,640 | 6.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 12,350 | 4.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 14,563 | 3.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,255 | 6.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 13,020 | 6.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,340 | 6.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 10,278 | 7.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 14,535 | 4.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 14,113 | 3.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 6,900 | 4.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 21,425 | 6.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 17,685 | 3.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 12,170 | 4.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 9,766 | 4.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 18,000 | 6.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 4.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 13,154 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 5,560 | 5.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,379 | 5.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 9,188 | 4.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 8,479 | 5.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 286 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Browns Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Browns Lake was last stocked June 17, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Browns Lake?
Browns Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Coho Salmon, Kokanee, and Chinook Salmon.
What time of year is Browns Lake stocked?
Browns Lake is typically stocked in summer and fall, most often in September.
How often is Browns Lake stocked?
Browns Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 286 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Browns Lake?
About 4,561,731 fish have been stocked in Browns Lake across 286 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Browns Lake?
Fish stocked in Browns Lake average about 5.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Browns 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 Browns Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Browns 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.