Grouse Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1938–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Grouse Lake was last stocked May 7, 2025 with Brook Trout. Grouse Lake has 43 stocking records on file, spanning 1938–2025, with about 143,072 fish stocked over that period.
When Grouse Lake is stocked
Grouse Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 13 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Grouse 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 Grouse 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 Grouse Lake was last stocked May 7, 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 Grouse 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.
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 Grouse 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Grouse Lake, freshest activity first.
Spar Lake
6 mi7 species · 135 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lower Sky Lake
7 mi2 species · 14 records
Last stocked August 2021
Savage Lake
6 mi6 species · 47 records
Last stocked July 2012
Shannon Lake
8 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked July 1989
O'Brien Creek
8 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked May 1978
North Fork Keeler Creek
2 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked September 1977
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2025 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 3.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,003 | 1.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2022 | Brook Trout | 1,001 | 2.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 2021 | Brook Trout | 994 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 35 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 27, 2019 | Brook Trout | 1,440 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 989 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 2016 | Brook Trout | 1,400 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,738 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,008 | 1.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2015 | Brook Trout | 1,488 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,020 | 0.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 952 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,010 | 1.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 823 | 1.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,027 | 2.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 996 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,033 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,015 | 1.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 995 | 1.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,040 | 1.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,128 | 1.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1993 | Brook Trout | 1,497 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1989 | Brook Trout | 1,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1988 | Brook Trout | 2,224 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1987 | Brook Trout | 1,500 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1987 | Brook Trout | 1,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1985 | Brook Trout | 1,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1983 | Brook Trout | 1,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1981 | Brook Trout | 1,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1978 | Brook Trout | 3,068 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 1976 | Brook Trout | 3,396 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1972 | Brook Trout | 3,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1967 | Brook Trout | 1,008 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1961 | Brook Trout | 1,059 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 1944 | Brook Trout | 29,120 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1941 | Brook Trout | 14,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 1940 | Brook Trout | 9,600 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 1939 | Brook Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 1938 | Brook Trout | 17,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Grouse Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Grouse Lake was last stocked May 7, 2025 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Grouse Lake?
Grouse Lake is stocked with Brook Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Grouse Lake stocked?
Grouse Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Grouse Lake stocked?
Grouse Lake is stocked intermittently — 43 recorded stockings between 1938 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Grouse Lake?
About 143,072 fish have been stocked in Grouse Lake across 43 recorded events since 1938, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Grouse Lake?
Fish stocked in Grouse Lake average about 2.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Grouse 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 Grouse Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Grouse 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.