StockedWaters

Giant Springs Fishing Pond Fish Stocking

Montana · 2002–2025 on record

Source: Montana fish & wildlife agency· updated 2025-10-14

According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Giant Springs Fishing Pond was last stocked October 14, 2025 with Rainbow Trout. Giant Springs Fishing Pond has 202 stocking records on file, spanning 2002–2025, with about 25,208 fish stocked over that period.

October 14, 2025
Last stocked
25,208
Fish stocked
2
Species
202
Stocking records

When Giant Springs Fishing Pond is stocked

Giant Springs Fishing Pond is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 69 stocking events in that peak month.

How Giant Springs Fishing Pond's stockings spread across the calendar year.

Angler's Field Guide

Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Giant Springs Fishing Pond

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 Giant Springs Fishing Pond, 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 Giant Springs Fishing Pond was last stocked October 14, 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 Giant Springs Fishing Pond:

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.

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.

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 Giant Springs Fishing Pond

Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.

Hatchery Trout FavoriteBerkley

Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough

Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.

Top Casting LurePanther Martin

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.

Essential RiggingEagle Claw

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 Giant Springs Fishing Pond, freshest activity first.

Stocking history

Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.

DateSpeciesNumberSizeSource
October 14, 2025Rainbow Trout5008.66"Montana fish & wildlife agency
September 2, 2025Rainbow Trout35010.7"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 30, 2025Rainbow Trout1009.59"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 10, 2025Rainbow Trout1008.8"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 3, 2025Rainbow Trout3008.8"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 13, 2025Rainbow Trout3008.04"Montana fish & wildlife agency
September 13, 2024Rainbow Trout1007.58"Montana fish & wildlife agency
August 20, 2024Rainbow Trout1006.61"Montana fish & wildlife agency
Show 42 more stocking records →
DateSpeciesNumberSizeSource
August 1, 2024Rainbow Trout2006"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 8, 2024Rainbow Trout1007.96"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 25, 2024Rainbow Trout1007.72"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 17, 2024Rainbow Trout2007.44"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 4, 2024Rainbow Trout2007.19"Montana fish & wildlife agency
September 13, 2023Rainbow Trout2006.98"Montana fish & wildlife agency
August 1, 2023Rainbow Trout3009.21"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 17, 2023Rainbow Trout2118.42"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 14, 2023Rainbow Trout2008.42"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 23, 2023Rainbow Trout2007.83"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 13, 2023Rainbow Trout2007.73"Montana fish & wildlife agency
May 19, 2023Rainbow Trout1007.03"Montana fish & wildlife agency
September 6, 2022Rainbow Trout1007.16"Montana fish & wildlife agency
August 24, 2022Rainbow Trout2006.97"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 20, 2022Rainbow Trout1009.24"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 13, 2022Rainbow Trout1008.74"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 30, 2022Rainbow Trout1008.33"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 24, 2022Rainbow Trout2008.33"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 8, 2022Rainbow Trout1007.21"Montana fish & wildlife agency
May 7, 2022Rainbow Trout1007"Montana fish & wildlife agency
September 24, 2021Rainbow Trout1008.05"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 28, 2021Rainbow Trout2005.86"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 2, 2021Rainbow Trout2008.85"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 18, 2021Rainbow Trout3008.64"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 7, 2021Rainbow Trout2007.44"Montana fish & wildlife agency
September 15, 2020Rainbow Trout1007.55"Montana fish & wildlife agency
August 10, 2020Rainbow Trout1009.75"Montana fish & wildlife agency
August 3, 2020Rainbow Trout1009.75"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 7, 2020Rainbow Trout2008.46"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 23, 2020Rainbow Trout2008"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 12, 2020Rainbow Trout1007.51"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 3, 2020Rainbow Trout2007.51"Montana fish & wildlife agency
August 21, 2019Rainbow Trout1109.31"Montana fish & wildlife agency
August 8, 2019Rainbow Trout1009.06"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 24, 2019Rainbow Trout1008.4"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 16, 2019Rainbow Trout1008.4"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 9, 2019Rainbow Trout1007.7"Montana fish & wildlife agency
July 5, 2019Rainbow Trout1007.7"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 28, 2019Rainbow Trout1007.7"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 18, 2019Rainbow Trout1008.24"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 13, 2019Rainbow Trout1008.32"Montana fish & wildlife agency
June 7, 2019Rainbow Trout1007.6"Montana fish & wildlife agency

Showing 50 of 202 stocking records.

Frequently asked

When was Giant Springs Fishing Pond last stocked?

According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Giant Springs Fishing Pond was last stocked October 14, 2025 with Rainbow Trout.

What fish species are stocked in Giant Springs Fishing Pond?

Giant Springs Fishing Pond is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.

What time of year is Giant Springs Fishing Pond stocked?

Giant Springs Fishing Pond is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.

How often is Giant Springs Fishing Pond stocked?

Giant Springs Fishing Pond has been stocked about 8 times a year — 202 recorded stockings between 2002 and 2025.

How many fish have been stocked in Giant Springs Fishing Pond?

About 25,208 fish have been stocked in Giant Springs Fishing Pond across 202 recorded events since 2002, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.

What size are the fish stocked in Giant Springs Fishing Pond?

Fish stocked in Giant Springs Fishing Pond average about 8.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.

Do you need a fishing license to fish Giant Springs Fishing Pond?

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 Giant Springs Fishing Pond?

Freshly stocked trout in Giant Springs Fishing Pond 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.