Clearwater Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1936–2023 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Clearwater Lake was last stocked June 22, 2023 with Cutthroat Trout. Clearwater Lake has 39 stocking records on file, spanning 1936–2023, with about 195,526 fish stocked over that period.
When Clearwater Lake is stocked
Clearwater Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 23 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater Lake was last stocked June 22, 2023, 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 Clearwater 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).
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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater Lake, freshest activity first.
Holland Lake
5 mi4 species · 151 records
Last stocked September 2025
Lake Alva
5 mi4 species · 158 records
Last stocked June 2025
Pierce Lake
3 mi2 species · 48 records
Last stocked June 2025
Rainy Lake
4 mi5 species · 56 records
Last stocked June 2025
Shelf Lake
5 mi1 species · 18 records
Last stocked August 2024
Lick
4 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked October 2021
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,875 | 4.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 31 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 6.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 6.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,800 | 5.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,800 | 6.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,935 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1983 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,239 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,070 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,536 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,467 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1971 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,114 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,550 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1966 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,492 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1961 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,048 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1955 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1939 | Salmon | 22,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,600 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Clearwater Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Clearwater Lake was last stocked June 22, 2023 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Clearwater Lake?
Clearwater Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Salmon.
What time of year is Clearwater Lake stocked?
Clearwater Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Clearwater Lake stocked?
Clearwater Lake is stocked intermittently — 39 recorded stockings between 1936 and 2023.
How many fish have been stocked in Clearwater Lake?
About 195,526 fish have been stocked in Clearwater Lake across 39 recorded events since 1936, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Clearwater Lake?
Fish stocked in Clearwater Lake average about 4.4 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Clearwater 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 Clearwater Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Clearwater 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.