Dailey Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Dailey Lake was last stocked May 19, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Dailey Lake has 411 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2026, with about 5,881,009 fish stocked over that period.
When Dailey Lake is stocked
Dailey Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in April — 94 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Dailey 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 Dailey 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 Dailey Lake was last stocked May 19, 2026, 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 Dailey 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.
Bass & Panfish Approach
Target visible structure such as docks, weed lines, and fallen trees. Small 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig heads with soft plastic grubs or live worms under a float work well for crappie and bluegill; soft plastic worms or spinnerbaits work well for bass.
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).
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.
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 Dailey 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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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 Dailey Lake, freshest activity first.
Yankee Jim Lake
8 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked July 2005
Ferrell Lake
8 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 1997
Tom Miner Creek
6 mi2 species · 42 records
Last stocked July 1962
Mulherin Creek
9 mi2 species · 46 records
Last stocked July 1962
Cinnabar Creek
11 mi2 species · 20 records
Last stocked September 1954
Bark Cabin Creek
10 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked September 1947
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,199 | 2.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 2025 | Walleye | 4,536 | 3.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,714 | 2.72" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,250 | 32.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 7.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 7.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 11.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,040 | 9.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,982 | 9.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 6.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 6.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 979 | 7.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 6.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 5,986 | 9.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,898 | 9.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 6.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,837 | 3.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2023 | Walleye | 1,198 | 3.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 2023 | Walleye | 3,445 | 3.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,483 | 6.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,508 | 6.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,324 | 7.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,179 | 8.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,179 | 8.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,179 | 7.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,179 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,089 | 6.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 5.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,296 | 6.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,250 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,250 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,260 | 7.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,856 | 5.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 5,304 | 5.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 2021 | Walleye | 5,419 | 6.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,070 | 8.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,013 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,250 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,250 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,250 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,484 | 6.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 2.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,625 | 7.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,695 | 6.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,680 | 6.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 411 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Dailey Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Dailey Lake was last stocked May 19, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Dailey Lake?
Dailey Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Walleye, Kokanee, Brook Trout, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Crappie, Coho Salmon, and Chinook Salmon.
What time of year is Dailey Lake stocked?
Dailey Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in April.
How often is Dailey Lake stocked?
Dailey Lake has been stocked about 4 times a year — 411 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Dailey Lake?
About 5,881,009 fish have been stocked in Dailey Lake across 411 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Dailey Lake?
Fish stocked in Dailey Lake average about 4.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Dailey 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 Dailey Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Dailey 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.