Gartside Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1938–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Gartside Reservoir was last stocked October 9, 2025 with Largemouth Bass. Gartside Reservoir has 138 stocking records on file, spanning 1938–2025, with about 910,519 fish stocked over that period.
When Gartside Reservoir is stocked
Gartside Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 33 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Gartside Reservoir
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 Gartside Reservoir, 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 Gartside Reservoir was last stocked October 9, 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 Gartside Reservoir:
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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
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.
Largemouth Bass Profile Tips
The centerpiece of American bass fishing culture, taken on everything from topwater lures to soft plastics and live bait.
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 Gartside Reservoir
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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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 Gartside Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Buxbaum Pond, Daryle
9 mi1 species · 5 records
Last stocked May 2025
Buxbaum (Daryl), Reservoir
10 mi3 species · 7 records
Last stocked July 2021
Buxbaum Reservoir
7 mi2 species · 32 records
Last stocked May 1994
Kvaalen Reservoir
13 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 1988
Ericksen Reservoir
18 mi3 species · 12 records
Last stocked July 1983
Daniel Reservoir
21 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked July 1979
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 9, 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 2.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,159 | 10.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2021 | Channel Catfish | 1,000 | 1.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2020 | Smallmouth Bass | 286 | 13.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 2019 | Channel Catfish | 318 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 2018 | Smallmouth Bass | 2,000 | 2.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 20, 2010 | Tiger Trout | 400 | 12.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2008 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 2007 | Walleye | 40,000 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2007 | Walleye | 40,000 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2007 | Tiger Trout | 1,000 | 8.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2006 | Tiger Trout | 400 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2006 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2006 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2005 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2005 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2004 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2004 | Northern Pike | 40,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2003 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2003 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2003 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 2002 | Smallmouth Bass | 4,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2002 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2002 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2001 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,500 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2001 | Walleye | 2,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2001 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 2000 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,500 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2000 | Walleye | 2,000 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2000 | Northern Pike | 1,524 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1999 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1999 | Walleye | 2,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1998 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1998 | Walleye | 2,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1998 | Northern Pike | 25,000 | 0.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1997 | Smallmouth Bass | 4,750 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1997 | Walleye | 2,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1996 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1996 | Walleye | 2,016 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1996 | Northern Pike | 25,000 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1995 | Walleye | 3,200 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1995 | Walleye | 2,000 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1994 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1994 | Walleye | 2,620 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1994 | Walleye | 2,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1993 | Smallmouth Bass | 1,250 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1993 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,750 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1993 | Walleye | 2,500 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1993 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1992 | Largemouth Bass | 8,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 138 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Gartside Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Gartside Reservoir was last stocked October 9, 2025 with Largemouth Bass.
What fish species are stocked in Gartside Reservoir?
Gartside Reservoir is stocked with Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Tiger Trout, Walleye, Northern Pike, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Crappie.
What time of year is Gartside Reservoir stocked?
Gartside Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Gartside Reservoir stocked?
Gartside Reservoir has been stocked about 2 times a year — 138 recorded stockings between 1938 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Gartside Reservoir?
About 910,519 fish have been stocked in Gartside Reservoir across 138 recorded events since 1938, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Gartside Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Gartside Reservoir average about 5.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Gartside Reservoir?
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 Gartside Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Gartside Reservoir 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.