Echo Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1925–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Echo Lake was last stocked September 22, 2025 with Rainbow Trout. Echo Lake has 431 stocking records on file, spanning 1925–2025, with about 6,395,816 fish stocked over that period.
When Echo Lake is stocked
Echo Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 123 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Echo 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 Echo 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 Echo Lake was last stocked September 22, 2025, 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 Echo 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.
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 Echo 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 Echo Lake, freshest activity first.
Lindbergh Lake
5 mi4 species · 175 records
Last stocked September 2025
Holland Lake
6 mi4 species · 151 records
Last stocked September 2025
Pierce Lake
7 mi2 species · 48 records
Last stocked June 2025
Hemlock Lake
5 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked August 2024
Lake Of The Woods
6 mi3 species · 56 records
Last stocked July 2022
Pierce Creek
5 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 1996
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,003 | 9.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2025 | Kokanee | 17,168 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2024 | Kokanee | 69,637 | 2.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 4,192 | 4.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2023 | Kokanee | 40,000 | 2.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2022 | Kokanee | 100,001 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 4.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Kokanee | 91,463 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 8, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 5.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2020 | Kokanee | 101,598 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 4.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2019 | Kokanee | 114,450 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,013 | 4.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 4.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2017 | Kokanee | 27,807 | 2.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2017 | Kokanee | 32,516 | 2.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2017 | Kokanee | 39,614 | 2.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 4.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 2016 | Kokanee | 110,085 | 1.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 4,087 | 4.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2015 | Kokanee | 100,067 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 4,019 | 4.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 4.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2013 | Kokanee | 100,990 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 5,450 | 3.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2012 | Largemouth Bass | 20,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 3,974 | 5.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,494 | 4.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2011 | Largemouth Bass | 20,000 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 4,011 | 4.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2011 | Kokanee | 38,260 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2011 | Kokanee | 61,740 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2011 | Kokanee | 110,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 18, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 5,498 | 3.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 5,514 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2010 | Largemouth Bass | 20,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 3,990 | 4.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2010 | Kokanee | 100,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 5,526 | 4.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 4,055 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2009 | Kokanee | 100,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2009 | Kokanee | 52,532 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 8,442 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 5,814 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2008 | Largemouth Bass | 20,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 3.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 22 | 15.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2008 | Kokanee | 25,600 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2008 | Kokanee | 34,272 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 431 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Echo Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Echo Lake was last stocked September 22, 2025 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Echo Lake?
Echo Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Largemouth Bass, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Coho Salmon, Bass, Chinook Salmon, and Sunfish.
What time of year is Echo Lake stocked?
Echo Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Echo Lake stocked?
Echo Lake has been stocked about 4 times a year — 431 recorded stockings between 1925 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Echo Lake?
About 6,395,816 fish have been stocked in Echo Lake across 431 recorded events since 1925, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Echo Lake?
Fish stocked in Echo Lake average about 4.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Echo 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 Echo Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Echo 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.