Divide Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1934–1968 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Divide Creek was last stocked July 25, 1968 with Rainbow Trout. Divide Creek has 48 stocking records on file, spanning 1934–1968, with about 81,784 fish stocked over that period.
When Divide Creek is stocked
Divide Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 20 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Divide 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 Divide 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 Divide Creek was last stocked July 25, 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 Divide 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.
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 Divide 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 Divide Creek, freshest activity first.
Black Lion Lake
14 mi1 species · 12 records
Last stocked September 2024
Vera Lake
15 mi1 species · 10 records
Last stocked July 2022
Ellison Pond
10 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked June 2009
Kidney Lake
3 mi2 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 1990
Wise River
10 mi3 species · 162 records
Last stocked July 1988
Trapper Creek
13 mi2 species · 16 records
Last stocked August 1986
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 25, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,100 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,100 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 1,680 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 1,680 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 40 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 13, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 1,680 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 2,575 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 2,575 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 3,680 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 3,680 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 640 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 640 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 385 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 385 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1956 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1956 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1954 | Brook Trout | 640 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1954 | Brook Trout | 640 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1954 | Brook Trout | 640 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1954 | Brook Trout | 640 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1954 | Brook Trout | 640 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 1,600 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1951 | Brook Trout | 1,560 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1951 | Brook Trout | 1,560 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 1950 | Brook Trout | 880 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1950 | Brook Trout | 1,340 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1950 | Brook Trout | 1,340 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1949 | Brook Trout | 5,700 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1949 | Brook Trout | 5,700 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1948 | Brook Trout | 1,312 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1948 | Brook Trout | 1,312 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1947 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1947 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1946 | Brook Trout | 950 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1946 | Brook Trout | 950 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 400 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 400 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1934 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1934 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Divide Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Divide Creek was last stocked July 25, 1968 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Divide Creek?
Divide Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Divide Creek stocked?
Divide Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Divide Creek stocked?
Divide Creek has been stocked about 1 times a year — 48 recorded stockings between 1934 and 1968.
How many fish have been stocked in Divide Creek?
About 81,784 fish have been stocked in Divide Creek across 48 recorded events since 1934, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Divide Creek?
Fish stocked in Divide Creek average about 6.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Divide 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 Divide Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Divide 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.