Cottonwood Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2005 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Cottonwood Creek was last stocked June 25, 2005 with Cutthroat Trout. Cottonwood Creek has 418 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2005, with about 3,531,869 fish stocked over that period.
When Cottonwood Creek is stocked
Cottonwood Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 118 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood Creek was last stocked June 25, 2005, 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 Cottonwood 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.
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 Cottonwood 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.
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 Cottonwood Creek, freshest activity first.
Lake Sutherlin
8 mi4 species · 158 records
Last stocked June 2026
Newlan Reservoir
10 mi5 species · 164 records
Last stocked May 2026
Buckingham Reservoir
10 mi3 species · 14 records
Last stocked June 1986
Jefferson Creek
12 mi3 species · 10 records
Last stocked August 1955
Little Birch Creek
8 mi2 species · 20 records
Last stocked August 1951
Jumping Creek
2 mi2 species · 10 records
Last stocked August 1950
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,350 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,350 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 525 | 9.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 525 | 9.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 9.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 9.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 9.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 8.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 523 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 523 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 503 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 503 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 509 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 509 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 585 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 509 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 509 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 527 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 527 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 586 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 586 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 591 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 591 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 652 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 652 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 382 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 382 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 382 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 382 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 408 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 612 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 408 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 418 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Cottonwood Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Cottonwood Creek was last stocked June 25, 2005 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Cottonwood Creek?
Cottonwood Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Cottonwood Creek stocked?
Cottonwood Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Cottonwood Creek stocked?
Cottonwood Creek has been stocked about 5 times a year — 418 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2005.
How many fish have been stocked in Cottonwood Creek?
About 3,531,869 fish have been stocked in Cottonwood Creek across 418 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Cottonwood Creek?
Fish stocked in Cottonwood Creek average about 5.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Cottonwood 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.