Lake Baker Fish Stocking
Montana · 1924–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Baker was last stocked June 18, 2025 with Walleye. Lake Baker has 86 stocking records on file, spanning 1924–2025, with about 3,800,612 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Baker is stocked
Lake Baker is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 29 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Baker
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 Lake Baker, 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 Lake Baker was last stocked June 18, 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 Lake Baker:
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.
Walleye Profile Tips
Highly regarded as table fare; typically targeted with jigs, live bait rigs, or trolled crankbaits, often after dark.
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 Lake Baker
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 Lake Baker, freshest activity first.
Maier Pond
8 mi3 species · 6 records
Last stocked August 2025
Pinnow Reservoir 2
7 mi3 species · 27 records
Last stocked May 2025
Pinnow Reservoir
7 mi3 species · 62 records
Last stocked May 2025
Schweigert Dam
10 mi3 species · 45 records
Last stocked May 2025
Upper Baker Lake
1 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 2022
Maier Reservoir
8 mi4 species · 11 records
Last stocked July 2003
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 18, 2025 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2024 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 2023 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 6.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2022 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 28, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 698 | 9.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2021 | Walleye | 10,000 | 1.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2020 | Walleye | 10,000 | 2.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 10.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2019 | Walleye | 10,000 | 1.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,974 | 3.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 799 | 6.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,025 | 6.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2016 | Northern Pike | 1,500 | 2.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2016 | Northern Pike | 100,000 | 0.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 8.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Northern Pike | 1,501 | 2.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 6.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2014 | Northern Pike | 100,000 | 0.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2012 | Northern Pike | 1,500 | 2.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2012 | Northern Pike | 100,000 | 0.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 2010 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2010 | Northern Pike | 1,625 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2010 | Northern Pike | 105,000 | 0.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2009 | Northern Pike | 1,530 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2007 | Northern Pike | 1,526 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2006 | Northern Pike | 1,500 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2006 | Northern Pike | 25,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2005 | Northern Pike | 1,827 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2004 | Northern Pike | 100,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2003 | Northern Pike | 1,500 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2002 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2001 | Northern Pike | 1,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2000 | Northern Pike | 980 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2000 | Northern Pike | 43,200 | 0.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 1999 | Northern Pike | 9,000 | 0.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1998 | Northern Pike | 100,000 | 0.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 1997 | Yellow Perch | 2,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 1997 | Northern Pike | 200 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1996 | Northern Pike | 100,000 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1994 | White Crappie | 34,944 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1992 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,837 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 1992 | Northern Pike | 100,000 | 0.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1991 | Smallmouth Bass | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1991 | Largemouth Bass | 20,000 | 0.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 86 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Baker last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Baker was last stocked June 18, 2025 with Walleye.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Baker?
Lake Baker is stocked with Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Bullhead, Bluegill, Sunfish, and Bass.
What time of year is Lake Baker stocked?
Lake Baker is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Lake Baker stocked?
Lake Baker is stocked intermittently — 86 recorded stockings between 1924 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Baker?
About 3,800,612 fish have been stocked in Lake Baker across 86 recorded events since 1924, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Baker?
Fish stocked in Lake Baker average about 3.4 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Baker?
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 Lake Baker?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Baker 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.