Falls Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1925–1953 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Falls Creek was last stocked September 18, 1953 with Brook Trout. Falls Creek has 34 stocking records on file, spanning 1925–1953, with about 505,640 fish stocked over that period.
When Falls Creek is stocked
Falls Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 10 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Falls 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 Falls 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 Falls Creek was last stocked September 18, 1953, 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 Falls 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.
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.
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 Falls 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 Falls Creek, freshest activity first.
Cottonwood Lake, Middle
10 mi2 species · 38 records
Last stocked October 2025
Heart Lake
10 mi5 species · 38 records
Last stocked September 2025
Pyramid Lake
7 mi1 species · 15 records
Last stocked August 2016
Cottonwood Lake, Lower
10 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked June 2006
Devine Creek
5 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 1997
Crimson Lake
5 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 1988
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 18, 1953 | Brook Trout | 2,280 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,880 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,880 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,400 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 26 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 13, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,080 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,080 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1949 | Brook Trout | 2,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1949 | Brook Trout | 2,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,640 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 25, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 25, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,400 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,400 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 50,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1925 | Cutthroat Trout | 35,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1925 | Cutthroat Trout | 35,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1925 | Cutthroat Trout | 35,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Falls Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Falls Creek was last stocked September 18, 1953 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Falls Creek?
Falls Creek is stocked with Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Falls Creek stocked?
Falls Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Falls Creek stocked?
Falls Creek is stocked intermittently — 34 recorded stockings between 1925 and 1953.
How many fish have been stocked in Falls Creek?
About 505,640 fish have been stocked in Falls Creek across 34 recorded events since 1925, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Falls Creek?
Fish stocked in Falls Creek average about 5.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Falls 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 Falls Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Falls 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.