Cripple Horse Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1925–1976 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Cripple Horse Creek was last stocked February 10, 1976 with Mountain Whitefish. Cripple Horse Creek has 8 stocking records on file, spanning 1925–1976, with about 467,990 fish stocked over that period.
When Cripple Horse Creek is stocked
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Cripple Horse 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 Cripple Horse 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 Cripple Horse Creek was last stocked February 10, 1976, 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 Cripple Horse 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.
Mountain Whitefish Profile Tips
Increasingly targeted by fly anglers as a light-tackle challenge; frequently caught incidentally while trout fishing.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
Recommended Tackle for Cripple Horse 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 Cripple Horse Creek, freshest activity first.
Bull Lake
11 mi6 species · 361 records
Last stocked May 2026
Libby Pond
14 mi2 species · 93 records
Last stocked June 2025
Lake Geneva
11 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked August 2021
Fivemile Creek
5 mi3 species · 52 records
Last stocked August 1995
Fisher River
8 mi3 species · 200 records
Last stocked July 1982
Barron Creek
1 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked September 1980
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 1976 | Mountain Whitefish | 53,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 10, 1976 | Mountain Whitefish | 53,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 18, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 92,604 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 11, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 30,868 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 11, 1975 | Mountain Whitefish | 30,868 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 29, 1972 | Mountain Whitefish | 100,000 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 29, 1972 | Mountain Whitefish | 100,000 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1925 | Brook Trout | 7,650 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Cripple Horse Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Cripple Horse Creek was last stocked February 10, 1976 with Mountain Whitefish.
What fish species are stocked in Cripple Horse Creek?
Cripple Horse Creek is stocked with Mountain Whitefish and Brook Trout.
How often is Cripple Horse Creek stocked?
Cripple Horse Creek is stocked intermittently — 8 recorded stockings between 1925 and 1976.
How many fish have been stocked in Cripple Horse Creek?
About 467,990 fish have been stocked in Cripple Horse Creek across 8 recorded events since 1925, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Cripple Horse Creek?
Fish stocked in Cripple Horse Creek average about 50.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Cripple Horse 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 Cripple Horse Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Cripple Horse 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.