Lake Josephine Fish Stocking
Montana · 1987–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Josephine was last stocked September 4, 2025 with Bluegill. Lake Josephine has 42 stocking records on file, spanning 1987–2025, with about 231,754 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Josephine is stocked
Lake Josephine is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 22 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Josephine
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 Josephine, 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 Josephine was last stocked September 4, 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 Josephine:
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.
Bluegill Profile Tips
A staple of family and youth fishing programs; readily takes worms, small jigs, and flies.
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 Josephine
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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Lake Josephine, freshest activity first.
Shiloh Conservation Pond 1
4 mi3 species · 57 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lake Elmo
7 mi15 species · 263 records
Last stocked June 2026
Laurel Pond
13 mi4 species · 200 records
Last stocked June 2026
Canyon Creek Pond
5 mi3 species · 30 records
Last stocked May 2026
Shiloh Conservation Pond 2
5 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked August 2024
Transwestern Pond
4 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked August 2022
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 4, 2025 | Bluegill | 2,500 | 1.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 2023 | Bluegill | 2,500 | 1.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2022 | Tiger Trout | 100 | 8.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2021 | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | 1.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2021 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2020 | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | 1.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 34 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 19, 2020 | Yellow Perch | 1,593 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2019 | Channel Catfish | 1,174 | 2.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2019 | Yellow Perch | 3,000 | 2.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2019 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2019 | Tiger Trout | 125 | 3.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2019 | Smallmouth Bass | 50 | 12.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 2018 | Largemouth Bass | 1,000 | 3.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 2018 | Largemouth Bass | 200 | 2.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 2017 | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2017 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 2015 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2015 | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2015 | Tiger Trout | 60 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2013 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 2012 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2011 | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 2010 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 2008 | Channel Catfish | 1,068 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 2007 | Tiger Trout | 8 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2007 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2006 | Tiger Trout | 20 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2005 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 2003 | Largemouth Bass | 9,540 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2001 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1999 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1997 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1994 | Channel Catfish | 2,400 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1993 | Channel Catfish | 2,400 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1993 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 1992 | Channel Catfish | 2,400 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1991 | Channel Catfish | 1,800 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1991 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1987 | Largemouth Bass | 39,816 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Lake Josephine last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Josephine was last stocked September 4, 2025 with Bluegill.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Josephine?
Lake Josephine is stocked with Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Tiger Trout, Channel Catfish, Yellow Perch, and Smallmouth Bass.
What time of year is Lake Josephine stocked?
Lake Josephine is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Lake Josephine stocked?
Lake Josephine is stocked intermittently — 42 recorded stockings between 1987 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Josephine?
About 231,754 fish have been stocked in Lake Josephine across 42 recorded events since 1987, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Josephine?
Fish stocked in Lake Josephine average about 2.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Josephine?
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 Josephine?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Josephine 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.