Island Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1934–2024 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Island Lake was last stocked September 30, 2024 with Golden Trout. Island Lake has 37 stocking records on file, spanning 1934–2024, with about 592,285 fish stocked over that period.
When Island Lake is stocked
Island Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 12 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Island 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 Island 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 Island Lake was last stocked September 30, 2024, 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 Island 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.
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.
Golden Trout Profile Tips
A bucket-list fish for many western anglers, often requiring a backcountry hike to reach stocked alpine lakes.
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 Island 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.
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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Island Lake, freshest activity first.
Crater Lake
6 mi3 species · 42 records
Last stocked August 2025
George Lake
10 mi1 species · 41 records
Last stocked August 2025
Gravelly Range Lake
10 mi10 species · 25 records
Last stocked April 1957
Landers Fork
8 mi2 species · 28 records
Last stocked July 1954
Keep Cool Creek
10 mi2 species · 47 records
Last stocked July 1954
Meadow Creek
8 mi3 species · 76 records
Last stocked August 1952
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | Golden Trout | 500 | 1.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2017 | Golden Trout | 1,000 | 1.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2012 | Largemouth Bass | 22,500 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2011 | Golden Trout | 500 | 0.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2011 | Largemouth Bass | 22,500 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 29 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 20, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,302 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2010 | Largemouth Bass | 22,500 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 100 | 14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2008 | Largemouth Bass | 22,500 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2007 | Largemouth Bass | 14,600 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2006 | Golden Trout | 900 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2006 | Largemouth Bass | 14,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 2004 | Largemouth Bass | 22,500 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1991 | Largemouth Bass | 15,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1970 | Arctic Grayling | 20,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 28, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 15,130 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 27, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 14,960 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1964 | Brook Trout | 29,440 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1964 | Brook Trout | 51,100 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 1963 | Golden Trout | 4,420 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,180 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1953 | Arctic Grayling | 100,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1951 | Arctic Grayling | 50,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 4,100 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 17,850 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 24,990 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 25,440 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 25,440 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 2,333 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1934 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Island Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Island Lake was last stocked September 30, 2024 with Golden Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Island Lake?
Island Lake is stocked with Golden Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Island Lake stocked?
Island Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Island Lake stocked?
Island Lake is stocked intermittently — 37 recorded stockings between 1934 and 2024.
How many fish have been stocked in Island Lake?
About 592,285 fish have been stocked in Island Lake across 37 recorded events since 1934, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Island Lake?
Fish stocked in Island Lake average about 11.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Island 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 Island Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Island 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.