Hauser Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1926–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Hauser Reservoir was last stocked April 29, 2026 with Kokanee. Hauser Reservoir has 897 stocking records on file, spanning 1926–2026, with about 17,699,686 fish stocked over that period.
When Hauser Reservoir is stocked
Hauser Reservoir is typically stocked in fall, most often in October — 173 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Hauser 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 Hauser 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 Hauser Reservoir was last stocked April 29, 2026, 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 Hauser 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.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
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 Hauser 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 Hauser Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Willow Creek Reservoir
12 mi5 species · 460 records
Last stocked June 2026
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
4 mi2 species · 80 records
Last stocked May 2026
Fairgrounds Pond
12 mi1 species · 105 records
Last stocked May 2024
Rock Creek
12 mi6 species · 595 records
Last stocked May 2013
Spokane Creek
2 mi2 species · 13 records
Last stocked February 2001
Johnson Pond
4 mi2 species · 39 records
Last stocked June 1999
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2026 | Kokanee | 20,000 | 3.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 6,656 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 6,656 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,030 | 8.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,196 | 8.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,080 | 8.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 6,884 | 8.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,325 | 8.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 6,594 | 8.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,509 | 8.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,842 | 8.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,750 | 8.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,061 | 8.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,613 | 8.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,153 | 8.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,195 | 8.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 12,215 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 12,152 | 7.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,673 | 8.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,976 | 8.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 10,248 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 9,744 | 8.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Kokanee | 70,596 | 3.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Kokanee | 67,446 | 4.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2025 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 3.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,653 | 8.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 8,480 | 8.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 9,360 | 7.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 8,694 | 8.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 8,569 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 8,881 | 8.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 9,942 | 7.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 10,171 | 7.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 10,233 | 7.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2024 | Kokanee | 58,905 | 4.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2024 | Kokanee | 58,905 | 4.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 12,495 | 6.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 18,391 | 6.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 19,271 | 6.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2024 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 3.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,451 | 7.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 9,443 | 7.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,025 | 7.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 11,024 | 7.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,088 | 7.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,052 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,608 | 7.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 9,846 | 7.72" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,179 | 7.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 12,207 | 7.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Hauser Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Hauser Reservoir was last stocked April 29, 2026 with Kokanee.
What fish species are stocked in Hauser Reservoir?
Hauser Reservoir is stocked with Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, and Walleye.
What time of year is Hauser Reservoir stocked?
Hauser Reservoir is typically stocked in fall, most often in October.
How often is Hauser Reservoir stocked?
Hauser Reservoir has been stocked about 9 times a year — 897 recorded stockings between 1926 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Hauser Reservoir?
About 17,699,686 fish have been stocked in Hauser Reservoir across 897 recorded events since 1926, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Hauser Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Hauser Reservoir average about 6.4 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Hauser 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 Hauser Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Hauser 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.