Heart Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1931–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Heart Lake was last stocked September 17, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout. Heart Lake has 38 stocking records on file, spanning 1931–2025, with about 1,044,181 fish stocked over that period.
When Heart Lake is stocked
Heart Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 10 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Heart 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 Heart 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 Heart Lake was last stocked September 17, 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 Heart 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.
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.
Golden Trout Profile Tips
A bucket-list fish for many western anglers, often requiring a backcountry hike to reach stocked alpine lakes.
Recommended Tackle for Heart 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 Heart Lake, freshest activity first.
Cottonwood Lake, Middle
2 mi2 species · 38 records
Last stocked October 2025
Placid Lake
8 mi6 species · 275 records
Last stocked October 2025
Seeley Lake
6 mi7 species · 536 records
Last stocked May 2024
Salmon Lake
7 mi5 species · 86 records
Last stocked May 2024
Lena Lake
6 mi3 species · 28 records
Last stocked October 2021
Tuppers Lake
7 mi3 species · 8 records
Last stocked June 2019
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 17, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 2.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 2024 | Golden Trout | 1,000 | 1.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 19, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,200 | 2.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Arctic Grayling | 4,500 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 1.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2017 | Golden Trout | 2,000 | 1.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 1.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 1.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 30 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2012 | Arctic Grayling | 4,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2011 | Golden Trout | 1,000 | 0.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 2.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2006 | Arctic Grayling | 5,680 | 0.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 1.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2006 | Golden Trout | 400 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 375 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,600 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1989 | Arctic Grayling | 20,000 | 0.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,987 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1965 | Arctic Grayling | 12,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1964 | Arctic Grayling | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 1963 | Golden Trout | 4,420 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1962 | Arctic Grayling | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1960 | Arctic Grayling | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,864 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,600 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1942 | Brown Trout | 7,615 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 1937 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1934 | Arctic Grayling | 97,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1932 | Arctic Grayling | 450,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1932 | Arctic Grayling | 275,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 36,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Heart Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Heart Lake was last stocked September 17, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Heart Lake?
Heart Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Heart Lake stocked?
Heart Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Heart Lake stocked?
Heart Lake is stocked intermittently — 38 recorded stockings between 1931 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Heart Lake?
About 1,044,181 fish have been stocked in Heart Lake across 38 recorded events since 1931, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Heart Lake?
Fish stocked in Heart Lake average about 1.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Heart 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 Heart Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Heart 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.