Kilbrennan Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1934–2015 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Kilbrennan Lake was last stocked June 10, 2015 with Rainbow Trout. Kilbrennan Lake has 62 stocking records on file, spanning 1934–2015, with about 805,877 fish stocked over that period.
When Kilbrennan Lake is stocked
Kilbrennan Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June — 24 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Kilbrennan 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 Kilbrennan 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 Kilbrennan Lake was last stocked June 10, 2015, 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 Kilbrennan 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.
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.
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 Kilbrennan 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Kilbrennan Lake, freshest activity first.
Troy Kids Pond
8 mi3 species · 214 records
Last stocked June 2026
Kootenai River
5 mi3 species · 26 records
Last stocked April 2008
Ransome Creek
10 mi3 species · 14 records
Last stocked May 1999
Shannon Lake
11 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked July 1989
O'Brien Creek
10 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked May 1978
Arbo Creek
3 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked July 1976
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 3,046 | 6.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 5, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 4,012 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 552 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 4,336 | 5.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 2,878 | 5.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 2,331 | 5.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,116 | 6.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 3,394 | 6.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,419 | 7.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 255 | 8.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,359 | 7.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 3,186 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 24, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 5,503 | 7.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 2,434 | 3.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 1,716 | 3.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 4,914 | 7.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 2,091 | 7.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,810 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1956 | Cutthroat Trout | 36,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1955 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,760 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1954 | Brook Trout | 20,480 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1953 | Brook Trout | 20,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1952 | Brook Trout | 3,080 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1952 | Brook Trout | 3,080 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1951 | Brook Trout | 620 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 25,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1949 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1949 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1949 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1948 | Brook Trout | 5,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1948 | Brook Trout | 5,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1947 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1947 | Brook Trout | 4,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1946 | Brook Trout | 1,200 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1946 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1946 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1946 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 1946 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1945 | Rainbow Trout | 1,960 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1945 | Brook Trout | 1,360 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1945 | Brook Trout | 1,360 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1945 | Brook Trout | 22,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1944 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1943 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1943 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1942 | Brook Trout | 2,850 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 1942 | Brook Trout | 2,850 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 1942 | Brook Trout | 2,850 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1941 | Brook Trout | 2,975 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 62 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Kilbrennan Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Kilbrennan Lake was last stocked June 10, 2015 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Kilbrennan Lake?
Kilbrennan Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Kilbrennan Lake stocked?
Kilbrennan Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June.
How often is Kilbrennan Lake stocked?
Kilbrennan Lake is stocked intermittently — 62 recorded stockings between 1934 and 2015.
How many fish have been stocked in Kilbrennan Lake?
About 805,877 fish have been stocked in Kilbrennan Lake across 62 recorded events since 1934, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Kilbrennan Lake?
Fish stocked in Kilbrennan Lake average about 5.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Kilbrennan 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 Kilbrennan Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Kilbrennan 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.