Lake Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1931–1989 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Creek was last stocked August 4, 1989 with Brook Trout. Lake Creek has 191 stocking records on file, spanning 1931–1989, with about 1,568,730 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Creek is stocked
Lake Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 72 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake Creek was last stocked August 4, 1989, 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 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.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
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 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 Lake Creek, freshest activity first.
Bull Lake
7 mi6 species · 361 records
Last stocked May 2026
Libby Pond
8 mi2 species · 93 records
Last stocked June 2025
Flower Creek Lake, Upper
9 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 2024
Flower Creek Lake, Middle
7 mi1 species · 14 records
Last stocked July 2015
Fisher River
10 mi3 species · 200 records
Last stocked July 1982
Libby Creek
9 mi4 species · 150 records
Last stocked July 1975
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 4, 1989 | Brook Trout | 5,620 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1989 | Brook Trout | 5,620 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 4,505 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 4,505 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 4,505 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 4,505 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 8,101 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 8,101 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 980 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 980 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 2,927 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 2,927 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 2,927 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 2,927 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,222 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,222 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,248 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,248 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 440 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 440 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 825 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 825 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,210 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,080 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,080 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,600 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,600 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,440 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,440 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,300 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,300 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,100 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,100 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,200 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,200 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,200 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,200 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,100 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,100 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 191 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Creek was last stocked August 4, 1989 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Creek?
Lake Creek is stocked with Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Lake Creek stocked?
Lake Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Lake Creek stocked?
Lake Creek has been stocked about 3 times a year — 191 recorded stockings between 1931 and 1989.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Creek?
About 1,568,730 fish have been stocked in Lake Creek across 191 recorded events since 1931, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Creek?
Fish stocked in Lake Creek average about 4.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake 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 Lake Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake 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.