Keep Cool Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1954 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Keep Cool Creek was last stocked July 21, 1954 with Cutthroat Trout. Keep Cool Creek has 47 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1954, with about 480,794 fish stocked over that period.
When Keep Cool Creek is stocked
Keep Cool Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in September — 19 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Keep Cool Creek
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 Keep Cool Creek, 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 Keep Cool Creek was last stocked July 21, 1954, 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 Keep Cool Creek:
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.
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 Keep Cool Creek
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 Keep Cool Creek, freshest activity first.
Maddie Lake
10 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked June 2025
Snowbank Lake
10 mi3 species · 68 records
Last stocked May 2025
Island Lake
10 mi6 species · 37 records
Last stocked September 2024
Nevada Reservoir
11 mi3 species · 65 records
Last stocked May 2022
Snowbank Creek
10 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked June 1999
Arrastra Creek
8 mi2 species · 46 records
Last stocked July 1969
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 21, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 990 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 990 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 465 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 465 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 39 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 18, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,886 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,886 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,384 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,384 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 1,350 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 1,350 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 900 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,380 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,380 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1943 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,360 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,840 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 1939 | Rainbow Trout | 10,400 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1938 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1938 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1937 | Rainbow Trout | 21,600 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1937 | Rainbow Trout | 21,600 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1937 | Rainbow Trout | 10,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1937 | Rainbow Trout | 10,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,680 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,680 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1934 | Cutthroat Trout | 28,224 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 45,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1932 | Cutthroat Trout | 45,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1928 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1928 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Keep Cool Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Keep Cool Creek was last stocked July 21, 1954 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Keep Cool Creek?
Keep Cool Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Keep Cool Creek stocked?
Keep Cool Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in September.
How often is Keep Cool Creek stocked?
Keep Cool Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 47 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1954.
How many fish have been stocked in Keep Cool Creek?
About 480,794 fish have been stocked in Keep Cool Creek across 47 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Keep Cool Creek?
Fish stocked in Keep Cool Creek average about 3.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Keep Cool Creek?
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 Keep Cool Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Keep Cool Creek 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.