Camas Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1931–1952 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Camas Creek was last stocked July 18, 1952 with Cutthroat Trout. Camas Creek has 41 stocking records on file, spanning 1931–1952, with about 517,400 fish stocked over that period.
When Camas Creek is stocked
Camas Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 12 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Camas 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 Camas 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 Camas Creek was last stocked July 18, 1952, 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 Camas 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.
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).
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.
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 Camas 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.
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 Camas Creek, freshest activity first.
Crater Lake
9 mi3 species · 42 records
Last stocked August 2025
George Lake
6 mi1 species · 41 records
Last stocked August 2025
Island Lake
13 mi6 species · 37 records
Last stocked September 2024
Margaret Lake
11 mi1 species · 26 records
Last stocked August 2024
Fish Lake
10 mi3 species · 33 records
Last stocked July 2017
Deep Creek
6 mi5 species · 307 records
Last stocked October 2008
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 18, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,425 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,425 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 11,080 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 11,080 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 33 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 13, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,315 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,315 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1945 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1944 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1944 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1943 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1943 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 19,320 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 19,320 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,600 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,600 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 2,440 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 2,440 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 1939 | Rainbow Trout | 3,640 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1933 | Coho Salmon | 30,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1933 | Coho Salmon | 30,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 19, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 70,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Camas Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Camas Creek was last stocked July 18, 1952 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Camas Creek?
Camas Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Camas Creek stocked?
Camas Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Camas Creek stocked?
Camas Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 41 recorded stockings between 1931 and 1952.
How many fish have been stocked in Camas Creek?
About 517,400 fish have been stocked in Camas Creek across 41 recorded events since 1931, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Camas Creek?
Fish stocked in Camas Creek average about 3.3 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Camas 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 Camas Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Camas 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.