Lake Helena Fish Stocking
Montana · 1926–1999 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Helena was last stocked April 26, 1999 with Kokanee. Lake Helena has 28 stocking records on file, spanning 1926–1999, with about 1,070,522 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Helena is stocked
Lake Helena is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 8 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Helena
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 Helena, 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 Helena was last stocked April 26, 1999, 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.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Lake Helena:
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.
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).
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.
Largemouth Bass Profile Tips
The centerpiece of American bass fishing culture, taken on everything from topwater lures to soft plastics and live bait.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Helena
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
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.
Catfish Carolina Rig & Egg Sinker Terminal Kit
Delivers cut bait or stink bait right to channel bottoms and deep holes where stocked channel cats scavenge.
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.
Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jig & Plastic Kit
Micro-jig heads paired with soft swimbaits mimic tiny baitfish and insects for schooling crappie and bluegill.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Lake Helena, freshest activity first.
Willow Creek Reservoir
8 mi5 species · 460 records
Last stocked June 2026
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
5 mi2 species · 80 records
Last stocked May 2026
Spring Meadow Lake
9 mi2 species · 120 records
Last stocked May 2026
Hauser Reservoir
5 mi10 species · 897 records
Last stocked April 2026
Fairgrounds Pond
8 mi1 species · 105 records
Last stocked May 2024
Spokane Creek
6 mi2 species · 13 records
Last stocked February 2001
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 26, 1999 | Kokanee | 86,400 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1991 | Largemouth Bass | 29,952 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1991 | Largemouth Bass | 29,952 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1990 | Largemouth Bass | 30,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1990 | Largemouth Bass | 30,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 30,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 30,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 30,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 20 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 1988 | Largemouth Bass | 20,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1988 | Largemouth Bass | 20,000 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1962 | Largemouth Bass | 38,760 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1962 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1951 | Walleye | 500,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 28, 1948 | Bullhead | 36,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 28, 1948 | Largemouth Bass | 2,600 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 5, 1948 | Largemouth Bass | 2,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 5, 1948 | Bluegill | 2,168 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1947 | Bass | 200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 13, 1946 | Largemouth Bass | 6,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1946 | Largemouth Bass | 90 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1945 | Bluegill | 100 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1945 | Largemouth Bass | 100 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 1931 | Yellow Perch | 800 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1931 | Yellow Perch | 900 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 1927 | Sunfish | 30,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 1927 | Bass | 30,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 1926 | Sunfish | 60,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1926 | Sunfish | 21,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Lake Helena last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Helena was last stocked April 26, 1999 with Kokanee.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Helena?
Lake Helena is stocked with Kokanee, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Bullhead, Bluegill, Bass, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish.
What time of year is Lake Helena stocked?
Lake Helena is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Lake Helena stocked?
Lake Helena is stocked intermittently — 28 recorded stockings between 1926 and 1999.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Helena?
About 1,070,522 fish have been stocked in Lake Helena across 28 recorded events since 1926, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Helena?
Fish stocked in Lake Helena average about 2.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Helena?
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.