Duck Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1926–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Duck Lake was last stocked May 12, 2026 with Brown Trout. Duck Lake has 243 stocking records on file, spanning 1926–2026, with about 4,166,956 fish stocked over that period.
When Duck Lake is stocked
Duck Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 80 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Duck 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 Duck 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 Duck Lake was last stocked May 12, 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 Duck 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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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 Duck 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 Duck Lake, freshest activity first.
Goose Lake
5 mi3 species · 84 records
Last stocked September 2008
Lower Saint Mary Lake
6 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 2006
St. Mary Lake
11 mi5 species · 51 records
Last stocked June 2004
Flattop Lake
8 mi2 species · 8 records
Last stocked July 2003
Toad Creek
6 mi1 species · 5 records
Last stocked September 1992
Unnamed trib to NF Milk R RM 14.1
11 mi2 species · 27 records
Last stocked June 1992
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2026 | Brown Trout | 18,867 | 3.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 200 | 2.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2024 | Brown Trout | 15,738 | 3.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2022 | Brown Trout | 16,673 | 4.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Brown Trout | 17,604 | 4.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2020 | Brown Trout | 14,318 | 4.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 200 | 1.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2019 | Brown Trout | 16,244 | 4.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2018 | Brown Trout | 16,929 | 4.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2017 | Brown Trout | 13,049 | 4.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2016 | Brown Trout | 14,921 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 200 | 1.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2015 | Brown Trout | 3,301 | 4.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2015 | Brown Trout | 11,769 | 4.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2014 | Brown Trout | 30,163 | 3.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2013 | Brown Trout | 29,797 | 3.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2012 | Brown Trout | 30,767 | 3.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,500 | 5.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2011 | Brown Trout | 15,320 | 3.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 4.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2010 | Brown Trout | 16,500 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2009 | Brown Trout | 10,031 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 60,866 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 20,017 | 6.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2008 | Brown Trout | 15,383 | 3.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 24,408 | 6.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 57,730 | 5.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 48,453 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2007 | Trout (unspecified) | 392 | 21.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2007 | Brown Trout | 10,023 | 3.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 53,607 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 55,884 | 5.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 4,682 | 6.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 55,546 | 5.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 50,125 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 55,513 | 5.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2005 | Brown Trout | 11,160 | 3.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2003 | Brown Trout | 9,991 | 4.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 30,095 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 50,409 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 27,716 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 25,915 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 6,811 | 6.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2001 | Brown Trout | 9,972 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 25,705 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 25,068 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1999 | Brown Trout | 9,052 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 32,132 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 40,056 | 5.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 22,275 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 243 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Duck Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Duck Lake was last stocked May 12, 2026 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Duck Lake?
Duck Lake is stocked with Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Trout (unspecified), Golden Trout, Brook Trout, and Bass.
What time of year is Duck Lake stocked?
Duck Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Duck Lake stocked?
Duck Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 243 recorded stockings between 1926 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Duck Lake?
About 4,166,956 fish have been stocked in Duck Lake across 243 recorded events since 1926, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Duck Lake?
Fish stocked in Duck Lake average about 7.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Duck 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 Duck Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Duck 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.