Hollecker Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1964–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Hollecker Lake was last stocked April 22, 2025 with Rainbow Trout. Hollecker Lake has 92 stocking records on file, spanning 1964–2025, with about 133,162 fish stocked over that period.
When Hollecker Lake is stocked
Hollecker Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 29 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Hollecker 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 Hollecker 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 Hollecker Lake was last stocked April 22, 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 Hollecker 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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
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.
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.
Yellow Perch Profile Tips
A favorite ice-fishing target across the states that stock it, as well as an open-water panfish taken on small jigs and bait.
Recommended Tackle for Hollecker 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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Hollecker Lake, freshest activity first.
Burman Pond
15 mi1 species · 49 records
Last stocked May 2025
Rattlesnake Reservoir
17 mi3 species · 8 records
Last stocked May 2025
Prairie Goat Reservoir
17 mi3 species · 8 records
Last stocked April 2019
Trangmoe Reservoir
10 mi2 species · 3 records
Last stocked May 1990
Juniper Dam
15 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 1987
Crisafulli Lake
1 mi2 species · 2 records
Last stocked May 1987
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 22, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 8.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 10.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 7.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 19, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 603 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2020 | Yellow Perch | 314 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 8.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 7.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 12.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 7.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 0 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 6.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 302 | 8.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 6.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 301 | 7.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 330 | 7.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 301 | 8.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 314 | 8.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 324 | 7.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 2008 | Largemouth Bass | 1,000 | 2.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 2007 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 631 | 7.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2006 | Largemouth Bass | 650 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 1,017 | 7.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 652 | 3.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 1,095 | 9.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 1,012 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 1,002 | 8.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 6.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 900 | 9.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 945 | 6.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 1,049 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 2,007 | 6.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 1,005 | 9.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 6.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 20, 2000 | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 20, 2000 | Largemouth Bass | 1,600 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 998 | 7.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 6.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 1,004 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1990 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1989 | Yellow Perch | 3,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1989 | Smallmouth Bass | 3,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1989 | Northern Pike | 427 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 92 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Hollecker Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Hollecker Lake was last stocked April 22, 2025 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Hollecker Lake?
Hollecker Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie, Cutthroat Trout, Bluegill, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Hollecker Lake stocked?
Hollecker Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Hollecker Lake stocked?
Hollecker Lake has been stocked about 1 times a year — 92 recorded stockings between 1964 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Hollecker Lake?
About 133,162 fish have been stocked in Hollecker Lake across 92 recorded events since 1964, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Hollecker Lake?
Fish stocked in Hollecker Lake average about 8.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Hollecker 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 Hollecker Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Hollecker 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.