Judith River Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2009 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Judith River was last stocked June 23, 2009 with Cutthroat Trout. Judith River has 465 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2009, with about 4,439,838 fish stocked over that period.
When Judith River is stocked
Judith River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 150 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Judith River
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 Judith River, 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 Judith River was last stocked June 23, 2009, 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 Judith River:
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.
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).
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.
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 Judith River
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.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Judith River, freshest activity first.
Iliad Reservoir
8 mi2 species · 24 records
Last stocked August 2025
Lone Tree Pond
17 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 2025
Slivka Reservoir #2
14 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 2015
Anderson Coulee Reservoir
15 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 2015
Slivka Reservoir
13 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked July 2013
Cow Creek
15 mi5 species · 39 records
Last stocked June 2003
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 5.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 5.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,276 | 2.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,276 | 2.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 525 | 8.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 525 | 8.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 456 | 10.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 456 | 10.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 10.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 10.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 512 | 9.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 512 | 9.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 9.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 9.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 9.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 9.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 1,095 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 1,095 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 8.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 497 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 497 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 503 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 503 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 535 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 535 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 507 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 507 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 465 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Judith River last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Judith River was last stocked June 23, 2009 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Judith River?
Judith River is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Judith River stocked?
Judith River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Judith River stocked?
Judith River has been stocked about 6 times a year — 465 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2009.
How many fish have been stocked in Judith River?
About 4,439,838 fish have been stocked in Judith River across 465 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Judith River?
Fish stocked in Judith River average about 6.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Judith River?
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 Judith River?
Freshly stocked trout in Judith River 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.