Finger Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1938–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Finger Lake was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout. Finger Lake has 53 stocking records on file, spanning 1938–2026, with about 292,595 fish stocked over that period.
When Finger Lake is stocked
Finger Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 15 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Finger 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 Finger 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 Finger Lake was last stocked May 8, 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 Finger 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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Finger 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.
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 Finger Lake, freshest activity first.
Snappys Pond
3 mi4 species · 160 records
Last stocked June 2026
Shady Lane Pond
4 mi2 species · 120 records
Last stocked June 2026
Pine Grove Pond
4 mi2 species · 147 records
Last stocked May 2026
Foy Lake
3 mi11 species · 274 records
Last stocked September 2025
Buffalohead Park Pond
2 mi1 species · 43 records
Last stocked June 2025
Black Lake
5 mi3 species · 39 records
Last stocked July 2022
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 3.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,005 | 2.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 3.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,010 | 2.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,300 | 3.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2022 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 3.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,002 | 3.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,855 | 3.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 9, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,443 | 3.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2021 | Brook Trout | 2,100 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,999 | 4.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2019 | Brook Trout | 2,856 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 5,007 | 3.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 2017 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 5,002 | 3.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 5,002 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2016 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 3.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 4,954 | 3.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2015 | Brook Trout | 2,976 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 2,843 | 3.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,655 | 3.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 6,015 | 3.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,993 | 4.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 6,320 | 3.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 4,416 | 4.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 6,006 | 3.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 5,196 | 3.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 5,712 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 6,006 | 3.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 6,480 | 3.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1994 | Brook Trout | 1,765 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1989 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1988 | Brook Trout | 3,100 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1988 | Brook Trout | 2,224 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1986 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1985 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1985 | Brook Trout | 10,140 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,511 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1978 | Brook Trout | 9,428 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,050 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1967 | Brook Trout | 14,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1967 | Brook Trout | 14,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1967 | Brook Trout | 14,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1962 | Brook Trout | 34,034 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1962 | Brook Trout | 16,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 1959 | Brook Trout | 5,920 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 53 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Finger Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Finger Lake was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Finger Lake?
Finger Lake is stocked with Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Finger Lake stocked?
Finger Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Finger Lake stocked?
Finger Lake is stocked intermittently — 53 recorded stockings between 1938 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Finger Lake?
About 292,595 fish have been stocked in Finger Lake across 53 recorded events since 1938, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Finger Lake?
Fish stocked in Finger Lake average about 3.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Finger 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 Finger Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Finger 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.