Gold Creek Lakes 1 Fish Stocking
Montana · 1933–1981 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Gold Creek Lakes 1 was last stocked July 27, 1981 with Cutthroat Trout. Gold Creek Lakes 1 has 10 stocking records on file, spanning 1933–1981, with about 155,190 fish stocked over that period.
When Gold Creek Lakes 1 is stocked
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Gold Creek Lakes 1
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 Gold Creek Lakes 1, 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 Gold Creek Lakes 1 was last stocked July 27, 1981, 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 Gold Creek Lakes 1:
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.
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.
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 Gold Creek Lakes 1
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 Gold Creek Lakes 1, freshest activity first.
Albicaulis Lake
8 mi2 species · 21 records
Last stocked August 2023
Goldberg Reservoir
4 mi1 species · 10 records
Last stocked September 2021
Boulder Lake, Lower
7 mi2 species · 14 records
Last stocked July 2014
Meadow Lake 4
6 mi2 species · 7 records
Last stocked August 2011
Trask Lakes 1
6 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked June 2000
Rock Creek Lake
5 mi4 species · 39 records
Last stocked July 1988
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 27, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 13,230 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 4,480 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,600 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1945 | Rainbow Trout | 21,080 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 25,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 2 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 11, 1936 | Rainbow Trout | 16,800 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 1933 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Gold Creek Lakes 1 last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Gold Creek Lakes 1 was last stocked July 27, 1981 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Gold Creek Lakes 1?
Gold Creek Lakes 1 is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout.
How often is Gold Creek Lakes 1 stocked?
Gold Creek Lakes 1 is stocked intermittently — 10 recorded stockings between 1933 and 1981.
How many fish have been stocked in Gold Creek Lakes 1?
About 155,190 fish have been stocked in Gold Creek Lakes 1 across 10 recorded events since 1933, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Gold Creek Lakes 1?
Fish stocked in Gold Creek Lakes 1 average about 1.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Gold Creek Lakes 1?
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 Gold Creek Lakes 1?
Freshly stocked trout in Gold Creek Lakes 1 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.