Fort Peck Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1942–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Fort Peck Lake was last stocked July 2, 2025 with Walleye. Fort Peck Lake has 1,842 stocking records on file, spanning 1942–2025, with about 1,076,817,419 fish stocked over that period.
When Fort Peck Lake is stocked
Fort Peck Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 353 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Fort Peck 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 Fort Peck 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 Fort Peck Lake was last stocked July 2, 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.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Fort Peck Lake:
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).
Walleye Profile Tips
Highly regarded as table fare; typically targeted with jigs, live bait rigs, or trolled crankbaits, often after dark.
Chinook Salmon Profile Tips
A major sport and tribal fishery in Washington; trolled or jigged in Montana's larger reservoirs.
Recommended Tackle for Fort Peck Lake
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
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.
Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jig & Plastic Kit
Micro-jig heads paired with soft swimbaits mimic tiny baitfish and insects for schooling crappie and bluegill.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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 Fort Peck Lake, freshest activity first.
Medicine Lake
8 mi10 species · 82 records
Last stocked June 2025
Troika Reservoir
12 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked July 2011
Trumbo Pond
15 mi3 species · 15 records
Last stocked July 2009
Olsen Pond 1
17 mi1 species · 22 records
Last stocked March 2005
Engdahl Cottonwood Reservoir
16 mi2 species · 7 records
Last stocked July 2003
Carpenter Creek Reservoir
13 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 1994
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 2025 | Walleye | 22,661 | 1.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2025 | Walleye | 45,304 | 1.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2025 | Walleye | 75,870 | 1.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2025 | Walleye | 91,392 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2025 | Walleye | 59,766 | 1.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2025 | Walleye | 47,734 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2025 | Walleye | 24,860 | 1.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2025 | Walleye | 87,343 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2025 | Walleye | 26,482 | 1.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2025 | Walleye | 7,962 | 1.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2025 | Walleye | 44,257 | 1.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2025 | Walleye | 27,609 | 1.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2025 | Walleye | 30,319 | 1.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2025 | Walleye | 89,104 | 1.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2025 | Walleye | 37,553 | 1.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2025 | Walleye | 36,720 | 1.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2025 | Walleye | 49,975 | 1.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2025 | Walleye | 43,071 | 1.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2025 | Walleye | 97,615 | 1.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2025 | Walleye | 73,441 | 1.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2025 | Walleye | 92,271 | 1.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2025 | Walleye | 47,903 | 1.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2025 | Walleye | 57,400 | 1.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2025 | Walleye | 18,735 | 1.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2025 | Walleye | 85,657 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2025 | Walleye | 58,266 | 1.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Walleye | 4,920 | 1.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Walleye | 66,581 | 1.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Walleye | 91,770 | 1.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Walleye | 4,920 | 1.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Walleye | 4,920 | 1.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2025 | Walleye | 64,431 | 1.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2025 | Walleye | 13,814 | 1.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2025 | Walleye | 58,830 | 1.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2025 | Walleye | 84,176 | 1.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2025 | Walleye | 58,814 | 1.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2025 | Walleye | 60,060 | 1.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 30,988 | 4.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 30,871 | 4.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 16,207 | 4.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 33,619 | 4.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 37,141 | 4.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2025 | Walleye | 6,000,000 | 0.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2025 | Walleye | 3,600,000 | 0.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2025 | Walleye | 2,400,000 | 0.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 18,989 | 4.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 20,672 | 4.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 43,884 | 4.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2025 | Walleye | 2,400,000 | 0.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2025 | Walleye | 3,600,000 | 0.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Fort Peck Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Fort Peck Lake was last stocked July 2, 2025 with Walleye.
What fish species are stocked in Fort Peck Lake?
Fort Peck Lake is stocked with Walleye and Chinook Salmon.
What time of year is Fort Peck Lake stocked?
Fort Peck Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Fort Peck Lake stocked?
Fort Peck Lake has been stocked about 22 times a year — 1,842 recorded stockings between 1942 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Fort Peck Lake?
About 1,076,817,419 fish have been stocked in Fort Peck Lake across 1,842 recorded events since 1942, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Fort Peck Lake?
Fish stocked in Fort Peck Lake average about 1.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Fort Peck 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.