Lake Koocanusa Fish Stocking
Montana · 1972–2024 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Koocanusa was last stocked June 12, 2024 with Rainbow Trout. Lake Koocanusa has 532 stocking records on file, spanning 1972–2024, with about 8,282,087 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Koocanusa is stocked
Lake Koocanusa is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June — 192 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Koocanusa
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 Koocanusa, 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 Koocanusa was last stocked June 12, 2024, 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 Koocanusa:
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.
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.
Cutthroat Trout Profile Tips
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Koocanusa
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.
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 Koocanusa, freshest activity first.
Frank Lake
15 mi4 species · 145 records
Last stocked May 2023
Lake Geneva
7 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked August 2021
Mt Henry Lake
14 mi2 species · 8 records
Last stocked August 2014
Othorp Lake
13 mi2 species · 25 records
Last stocked September 2012
Boulder Lake 1
9 mi1 species · 4 records
Last stocked August 2012
Tobacco River
13 mi3 species · 113 records
Last stocked October 1998
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 27,258 | 2.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 13,985 | 2.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 14,344 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,035 | 7.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,589 | 7.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 26 | 18.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 145 | 18.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 161 | 17.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 151 | 18.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 140 | 18.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 237 | 12.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 391 | 12.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 290 | 13.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 12,671 | 4.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 6,999 | 4.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 6,333 | 4.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 13,326 | 4.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 12,709 | 4.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,622 | 3.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,474 | 7.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,815 | 7.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 9,891 | 7.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 9,506 | 7.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 20, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,909 | 4.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,768 | 4.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,999 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,629 | 4.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,655 | 4.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 10,183 | 4.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 9,174 | 4.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,362 | 4.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 6,536 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,995 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,577 | 7.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,838 | 7.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,599 | 7.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 10,678 | 6.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,089 | 6.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,696 | 6.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,696 | 6.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,482 | 6.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,672 | 7.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,817 | 7.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,860 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 10,559 | 6.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 10,622 | 6.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 11,137 | 6.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 11,386 | 6.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 11,017 | 6.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 10,650 | 6.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Koocanusa last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Koocanusa was last stocked June 12, 2024 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Koocanusa?
Lake Koocanusa is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and White Sturgeon.
What time of year is Lake Koocanusa stocked?
Lake Koocanusa is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June.
How often is Lake Koocanusa stocked?
Lake Koocanusa has been stocked about 10 times a year — 532 recorded stockings between 1972 and 2024.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Koocanusa?
About 8,282,087 fish have been stocked in Lake Koocanusa across 532 recorded events since 1972, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Koocanusa?
Fish stocked in Lake Koocanusa average about 6.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Koocanusa?
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 Koocanusa?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Koocanusa 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.