Chief Joseph Pond Fish Stocking
Montana · 1970–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Chief Joseph Pond was last stocked June 5, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Chief Joseph Pond has 176 stocking records on file, spanning 1970–2026, with about 140,671 fish stocked over that period.
When Chief Joseph Pond is stocked
Chief Joseph Pond is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 58 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Chief Joseph Pond
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 Chief Joseph Pond, 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 Chief Joseph Pond was last stocked June 5, 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 Chief Joseph Pond:
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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
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.
Channel Catfish Profile Tips
Popular with bait anglers using cut bait, worms, or prepared 'stink bait'; often stocked specifically for summer evening fishing.
Recommended Tackle for Chief Joseph Pond
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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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 Chief Joseph Pond, freshest activity first.
Brewington Pond South
19 mi1 species · 94 records
Last stocked May 2026
Berg Reservoir
9 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked June 2013
West Fork Cottonwood Creek
16 mi2 species · 6 records
Last stocked September 2004
Nelsons Pond
11 mi2 species · 3 records
Last stocked July 2003
Lebo Lake
13 mi6 species · 84 records
Last stocked July 1993
American Fork
6 mi4 species · 39 records
Last stocked June 1954
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 521 | 8.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 476 | 12.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 493 | 12.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 499 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 578 | 13.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 11.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 5.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 12.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 11.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 495 | 8.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 546 | 8.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 12.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 11.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 8.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 521 | 7.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 10 | 21.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 452 | 8.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 10 | 20.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 10 | 19.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 176 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Chief Joseph Pond last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Chief Joseph Pond was last stocked June 5, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Chief Joseph Pond?
Chief Joseph Pond is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, and Largemouth Bass.
What time of year is Chief Joseph Pond stocked?
Chief Joseph Pond is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Chief Joseph Pond stocked?
Chief Joseph Pond has been stocked about 3 times a year — 176 recorded stockings between 1970 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Chief Joseph Pond?
About 140,671 fish have been stocked in Chief Joseph Pond across 176 recorded events since 1970, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Chief Joseph Pond?
Fish stocked in Chief Joseph Pond average about 9.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Chief Joseph Pond?
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 Chief Joseph Pond?
Freshly stocked trout in Chief Joseph Pond 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.