Lake Five Fish Stocking
Montana · 1924–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Five was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout. Lake Five has 133 stocking records on file, spanning 1924–2026, with about 1,970,557 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Five is stocked
Lake Five is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 48 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Five
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 Five, 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 Five was last stocked May 8, 2026, 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 Five:
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.
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.
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).
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.
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Five
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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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 Five, freshest activity first.
Halfmoon Lake
1 mi5 species · 69 records
Last stocked May 2026
Beta Lake
10 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked July 2025
Rivers Edge Pond
10 mi1 species · 14 records
Last stocked May 2025
Spoon Lake
6 mi4 species · 105 records
Last stocked June 2017
Pyramid Creek
8 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 2009
Taylor Spring Creek
10 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked June 2000
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Brook Trout | 2,200 | 3.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2025 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 2.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2024 | Kokanee | 9,000 | 2.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2023 | Kokanee | 4,059 | 2.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2022 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 2.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2022 | Kokanee | 10,210 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2021 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 20,254 | 5.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 20, 2021 | Kokanee | 10,000 | 2.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2020 | Brook Trout | 2,295 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2020 | Kokanee | 10,221 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2019 | Brook Trout | 3,500 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 24,980 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2019 | Kokanee | 11,098 | 2.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 2018 | Brook Trout | 340 | 5.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2017 | Kokanee | 7,999 | 2.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2017 | Kokanee | 2,009 | 2.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2016 | Brook Trout | 2,200 | 1.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2016 | Kokanee | 10,054 | 1.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2015 | Brook Trout | 2,008 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2015 | Kokanee | 10,103 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2013 | Kokanee | 10,032 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 5,118 | 3.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2012 | Kokanee | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2011 | Kokanee | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2010 | Kokanee | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2009 | Kokanee | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 10,114 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2008 | Kokanee | 2,600 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2008 | Kokanee | 9,750 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 25,829 | 3.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2006 | Kokanee | 20,800 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 131 | 15.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2005 | Kokanee | 26,400 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2004 | Kokanee | 26,608 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2003 | Kokanee | 23,800 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2002 | Kokanee | 30,752 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2001 | Kokanee | 30,060 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2000 | Kokanee | 33,925 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 1999 | Kokanee | 7,920 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 1999 | Kokanee | 11,232 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 1998 | Kokanee | 14,080 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 1998 | Kokanee | 15,840 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1997 | Kokanee | 29,584 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1996 | Kokanee | 35,700 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1995 | Arctic Grayling | 52,330 | 0.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1995 | Kokanee | 56,982 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1994 | Kokanee | 33,205 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 133 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Five last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Five was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Five?
Lake Five is stocked with Brook Trout, Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling, Largemouth Bass, Cutthroat Trout, Coho Salmon, and Bass.
What time of year is Lake Five stocked?
Lake Five is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Lake Five stocked?
Lake Five has been stocked about 1 times a year — 133 recorded stockings between 1924 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Five?
About 1,970,557 fish have been stocked in Lake Five across 133 recorded events since 1924, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Five?
Fish stocked in Lake Five average about 4.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Five?
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 Five?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Five 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.