Cinnabar Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1940–1954 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Cinnabar Creek was last stocked September 17, 1954 with Rainbow Trout. Cinnabar Creek has 20 stocking records on file, spanning 1940–1954, with about 249,734 fish stocked over that period.
When Cinnabar Creek is stocked
Cinnabar Creek is typically stocked in fall, most often in September — 13 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Cinnabar 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 Cinnabar 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 Cinnabar Creek was last stocked September 17, 1954, 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 Cinnabar 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.
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 Cinnabar 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 Cinnabar Creek, freshest activity first.
Ovis Lake
10 mi1 species · 16 records
Last stocked July 2016
Yankee Jim Lake
4 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked July 2005
Sedge Lake
9 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 1997
Ferrell Lake
8 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 1997
Aldridge Lake
1 mi1 species · 27 records
Last stocked August 1993
Beaver Ponds
5 mi2 species · 2 records
Last stocked July 1981
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 17, 1954 | Rainbow Trout | 10,934 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 12 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 8, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Cinnabar Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Cinnabar Creek was last stocked September 17, 1954 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Cinnabar Creek?
Cinnabar Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Cinnabar Creek stocked?
Cinnabar Creek is typically stocked in fall, most often in September.
How often is Cinnabar Creek stocked?
Cinnabar Creek has been stocked about 1 times a year — 20 recorded stockings between 1940 and 1954.
How many fish have been stocked in Cinnabar Creek?
About 249,734 fish have been stocked in Cinnabar Creek across 20 recorded events since 1940, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Cinnabar Creek?
Fish stocked in Cinnabar Creek average about 2.4 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Cinnabar 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 Cinnabar Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Cinnabar 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.