Home Run Pond Fish Stocking
Montana · 2003–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Home Run Pond was last stocked September 29, 2025 with Rainbow Trout. Home Run Pond has 85 stocking records on file, spanning 2003–2025, with about 38,911 fish stocked over that period.
When Home Run Pond is stocked
Home Run Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in September — 32 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Home Run Pond
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 Home Run Pond, 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 Home Run Pond was last stocked September 29, 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 Home Run Pond:
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.
Channel Catfish Profile Tips
Popular with bait anglers using cut bait, worms, or prepared 'stink bait'; often stocked specifically for summer evening fishing.
Recommended Tackle for Home Run Pond
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.
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 Home Run Pond, freshest activity first.
Fort Peck Trout Pond
12 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked October 2025
Paulo Reservoir
12 mi2 species · 16 records
Last stocked August 2025
Shoot Reservoir
8 mi3 species · 42 records
Last stocked June 2025
Whitetail Reservoir
12 mi9 species · 98 records
Last stocked May 2025
Big Reservoir
13 mi4 species · 10 records
Last stocked May 2025
Fort Peck Dredge Cuts
12 mi9 species · 77 records
Last stocked May 2013
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 519 | 12.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 7.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 419 | 13.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 7.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 11.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 7.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 9.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | 7.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 515 | 8.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | 7.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 330 | 11.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 713 | 7.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 12.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 378 | 7.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 7.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 550 | 13.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 735 | 6.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 15.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 160 | 11.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 706 | 6.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 31, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 1.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 335 | 12.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 738 | 6.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 11.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 7.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 701 | 7.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 171 | 6.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 324 | 11.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 708 | 7.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 12.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 712 | 6.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 721 | 7.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 379 | 11.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 27 | 22.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2011 | Channel Catfish | 250 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 18.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 6.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 23.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 17.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 507 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 675 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 10.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 19.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 85 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Home Run Pond last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Home Run Pond was last stocked September 29, 2025 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Home Run Pond?
Home Run Pond is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie.
What time of year is Home Run Pond stocked?
Home Run Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in September.
How often is Home Run Pond stocked?
Home Run Pond has been stocked about 4 times a year — 85 recorded stockings between 2003 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Home Run Pond?
About 38,911 fish have been stocked in Home Run Pond across 85 recorded events since 2003, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Home Run Pond?
Fish stocked in Home Run Pond average about 10.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Home Run Pond?
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 Home Run Pond?
Freshly stocked trout in Home Run Pond 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.