Daly Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1947–1968 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Daly Creek was last stocked July 19, 1968 with Rainbow Trout. Daly Creek has 41 stocking records on file, spanning 1947–1968, with about 67,936 fish stocked over that period.
When Daly Creek is stocked
Daly Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 16 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Daly 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 Daly 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 Daly Creek was last stocked July 19, 1968, 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 Daly 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.
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 Daly 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 Daly Creek, freshest activity first.
Stafford Kid's Pond
8 mi1 species · 29 records
Last stocked May 2026
Upper Twin Lake
11 mi1 species · 14 records
Last stocked September 2025
Fred Burr Lake
11 mi1 species · 8 records
Last stocked July 2023
Gleason Lake
9 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked August 2004
Skalkaho Creek, S Fk
4 mi2 species · 22 records
Last stocked July 1959
Sleeping Child Creek
12 mi2 species · 53 records
Last stocked August 1954
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 19, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 1,250 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 1,250 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 1,005 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 1,005 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 1,040 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 33 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 22, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 1,040 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 1,260 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 1,260 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1957 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1957 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1956 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,100 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1956 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,100 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1955 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,950 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,400 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,400 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,900 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,900 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 3,680 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 3,680 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,300 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Daly Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Daly Creek was last stocked July 19, 1968 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Daly Creek?
Daly Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Daly Creek stocked?
Daly Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Daly Creek stocked?
Daly Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 41 recorded stockings between 1947 and 1968.
How many fish have been stocked in Daly Creek?
About 67,936 fish have been stocked in Daly Creek across 41 recorded events since 1947, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Daly Creek?
Fish stocked in Daly Creek average about 5.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Daly 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 Daly Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Daly 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.