Hansen Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1953–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Hansen Reservoir was last stocked October 15, 2025 with Brown Trout. Hansen Reservoir has 101 stocking records on file, spanning 1953–2025, with about 324,501 fish stocked over that period.
When Hansen Reservoir is stocked
Hansen Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 40 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Hansen 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 Hansen 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 Hansen Reservoir was last stocked October 15, 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 Hansen 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.
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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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 Hansen 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.
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.
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 Hansen Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Upper Frog Pond
11 mi1 species · 102 records
Last stocked June 2026
Elks Country Club Pond
10 mi2 species · 78 records
Last stocked May 2026
Big Casino Creek Reservoir
11 mi4 species · 106 records
Last stocked August 2025
Hollands Reservoir
8 mi2 species · 30 records
Last stocked July 2013
Kovacich Pond
6 mi2 species · 24 records
Last stocked May 1991
Hansen Creek
6 mi3 species · 33 records
Last stocked May 1975
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2025 | Brown Trout | 500 | 6.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2025 | Brown Trout | 500 | 4.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,040 | 4.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 3.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,575 | 4.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,500 | 5.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,499 | 4.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 2.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,545 | 3.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,504 | 4.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 5,999 | 4.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 2.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 999 | 3.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 6,007 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,003 | 3.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 6,010 | 4.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 96 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 6,007 | 4.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 5,998 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 6,001 | 4.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 3.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 27 | 18.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 6,173 | 4.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 6,406 | 4.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 17.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 6,090 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 5,988 | 3.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 18.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 475 | 7.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 5,968 | 4.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 20 | 14.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 6,515 | 3.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 33 | 19.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 7.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 5,958 | 3.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 5,453 | 4.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 22 | 22.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 5,940 | 3.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 6,035 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 19, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 3,393 | 2.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | 21.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 29 | 24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 6,062 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 101 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Hansen Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Hansen Reservoir was last stocked October 15, 2025 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Hansen Reservoir?
Hansen Reservoir is stocked with Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Hansen Reservoir stocked?
Hansen Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Hansen Reservoir stocked?
Hansen Reservoir has been stocked about 1 times a year — 101 recorded stockings between 1953 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Hansen Reservoir?
About 324,501 fish have been stocked in Hansen Reservoir across 101 recorded events since 1953, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Hansen Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Hansen Reservoir average about 7.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Hansen 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 Hansen Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Hansen 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.