Deadmans Basin Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1941–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Deadmans Basin Reservoir was last stocked May 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Deadmans Basin Reservoir has 547 stocking records on file, spanning 1941–2026, with about 22,861,411 fish stocked over that period.
When Deadmans Basin Reservoir is stocked
Deadmans Basin Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 198 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Deadmans Basin Reservoir
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 Deadmans Basin Reservoir, 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 Deadmans Basin Reservoir was last stocked May 26, 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 Deadmans Basin Reservoir:
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.
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.
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
Recommended Tackle for Deadmans Basin Reservoir
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.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Deadmans Basin Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Berg Reservoir
13 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked June 2013
Shifley Pond
15 mi1 species · 5 records
Last stocked August 1993
Olnhauser Lake
16 mi3 species · 4 records
Last stocked August 1968
American Fork
15 mi4 species · 39 records
Last stocked June 1954
Lake Blue Water
16 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked September 1953
Lebo Creek
17 mi3 species · 49 records
Last stocked July 1953
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 86,618 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2026 | Kokanee | 65,546 | 3.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 26, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 33,363 | 2.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 84,192 | 3.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2025 | Kokanee | 111,954 | 3.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 13,107 | 3.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2024 | Kokanee | 25,248 | 4.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 39,744 | 2.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 26,496 | 2.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2024 | Kokanee | 103,499 | 3.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,883 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 127,500 | 2.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2023 | Kokanee | 49,944 | 3.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2022 | Tiger Trout | 1,000 | 8.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 163,016 | 2.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2022 | Kokanee | 100,384 | 3.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 60,115 | 3.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 101,871 | 2.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2021 | Kokanee | 64,200 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 31,641 | 2.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 27,269 | 3.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2020 | Tiger Trout | 1,564 | 9.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 87,526 | 3.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2020 | Kokanee | 100,014 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 60,209 | 2.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 52,888 | 3.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 51,172 | 4.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 51,936 | 4.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2019 | Tiger Trout | 1,500 | 3.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2019 | Kokanee | 105,336 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 57,726 | 3.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2018 | Kokanee | 81,664 | 2.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 52,500 | 3.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 54,526 | 3.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 50,269 | 2.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 44,237 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2017 | Brown Trout | 19,976 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 20,256 | 4.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 11,052 | 4.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2017 | Kokanee | 85,108 | 2.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 50,152 | 3.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 52,754 | 2.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2016 | Brown Trout | 20,037 | 3.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 53,515 | 3.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 37,987 | 4.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 18,530 | 3.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 40,023 | 4.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2016 | Kokanee | 100,008 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 2015 | Tiger Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 54,994 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Deadmans Basin Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Deadmans Basin Reservoir was last stocked May 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Deadmans Basin Reservoir?
Deadmans Basin Reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Tiger Trout, Brown Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Deadmans Basin Reservoir stocked?
Deadmans Basin Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Deadmans Basin Reservoir stocked?
Deadmans Basin Reservoir has been stocked about 6 times a year — 547 recorded stockings between 1941 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Deadmans Basin Reservoir?
About 22,861,411 fish have been stocked in Deadmans Basin Reservoir across 547 recorded events since 1941, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Deadmans Basin Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Deadmans Basin Reservoir average about 4.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Deadmans Basin Reservoir?
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 Deadmans Basin Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Deadmans Basin Reservoir 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.