Crater Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1938–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Crater Lake was last stocked August 5, 2025 with Brown Trout. Crater Lake has 42 stocking records on file, spanning 1938–2025, with about 103,011 fish stocked over that period.
When Crater Lake is stocked
Crater Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 20 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Crater 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 Crater 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 Crater Lake was last stocked August 5, 2025, 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 Crater 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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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 Crater 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.
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 Crater Lake, freshest activity first.
George Lake
9 mi1 species · 41 records
Last stocked August 2025
Flesher Lakes 1
11 mi2 species · 44 records
Last stocked May 2025
Island Lake
6 mi6 species · 37 records
Last stocked September 2024
Gravelly Range Lake
4 mi10 species · 25 records
Last stocked April 1957
Landers Fork
10 mi2 species · 28 records
Last stocked July 1954
Alice Creek
11 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked July 1953
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 5, 2025 | Brown Trout | 253 | 5.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,497 | 1.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 1.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 1.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 358 | 3.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,274 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | 1.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 1.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 34 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | 2.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,716 | 1.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 8.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,519 | 1.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,005 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 825 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,435 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,470 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,087 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1986 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1982 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,048 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1971 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,038 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 1,040 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 1,062 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 576 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,310 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1966 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 1965 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,100 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 2,400 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 798 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1957 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1957 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1955 | Rainbow Trout | 1,650 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1955 | Rainbow Trout | 900 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1938 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Crater Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Crater Lake was last stocked August 5, 2025 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Crater Lake?
Crater Lake is stocked with Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Crater Lake stocked?
Crater Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Crater Lake stocked?
Crater Lake is stocked intermittently — 42 recorded stockings between 1938 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Crater Lake?
About 103,011 fish have been stocked in Crater Lake across 42 recorded events since 1938, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Crater Lake?
Fish stocked in Crater Lake average about 5.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Crater 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 Crater Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Crater 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.