Crescent Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1941–2024 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Crescent Lake was last stocked August 6, 2024 with Cutthroat Trout. Crescent Lake has 31 stocking records on file, spanning 1941–2024, with about 117,915 fish stocked over that period.
When Crescent Lake is stocked
Crescent Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 19 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Crescent 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 Crescent 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 Crescent Lake was last stocked August 6, 2024, 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 Crescent 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.
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.
Golden Trout Profile Tips
A bucket-list fish for many western anglers, often requiring a backcountry hike to reach stocked alpine lakes.
Recommended Tackle for Crescent 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Crescent Lake, freshest activity first.
Stewart Lake
7 mi6 species · 74 records
Last stocked May 2026
Moose Lake
11 mi2 species · 99 records
Last stocked May 2026
Boulder Lake, Lower
11 mi2 species · 14 records
Last stocked July 2014
Racetrack Lake
12 mi2 species · 13 records
Last stocked August 1994
Alder Gulch
8 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked June 1986
Day Gulch
10 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked May 1964
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 6, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,510 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 2.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 23 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 29, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,962 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,230 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,361 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,776 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 0.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,503 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,010 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 1983 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,500 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,513 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 1963 | Golden Trout | 4,420 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,600 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,600 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,320 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,400 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,160 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1941 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Crescent Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Crescent Lake was last stocked August 6, 2024 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Crescent Lake?
Crescent Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Crescent Lake stocked?
Crescent Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Crescent Lake stocked?
Crescent Lake is stocked intermittently — 31 recorded stockings between 1941 and 2024.
How many fish have been stocked in Crescent Lake?
About 117,915 fish have been stocked in Crescent Lake across 31 recorded events since 1941, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Crescent Lake?
Fish stocked in Crescent Lake average about 1.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Crescent 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 Crescent Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Crescent 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.