Lake Mary Ronan Fish Stocking
Montana · 1923–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Mary Ronan was last stocked June 16, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Lake Mary Ronan has 685 stocking records on file, spanning 1923–2026, with about 42,805,504 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Mary Ronan is stocked
Lake Mary Ronan is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 241 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Mary Ronan
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 Mary Ronan, 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 Mary Ronan was last stocked June 16, 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 Mary Ronan:
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).
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.
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 Mary Ronan
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 Mary Ronan, freshest activity first.
Rogers Lake
14 mi3 species · 112 records
Last stocked September 2024
Cabin Lake
12 mi2 species · 35 records
Last stocked August 2024
Horseshoe Lake
8 mi10 species · 69 records
Last stocked April 2024
Bailey Lake
11 mi2 species · 57 records
Last stocked July 2023
Flathead Lake
14 mi14 species · 1161 records
Last stocked October 1997
Sullivan Creek
10 mi2 species · 28 records
Last stocked August 1995
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 16, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 13,572 | 3.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 13,572 | 3.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 27,522 | 1.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 3.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2024 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 2.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2024 | Kokanee | 30,000 | 3.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2024 | Kokanee | 250,000 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 13,266 | 2.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 14,300 | 1.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 30,139 | 3.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2023 | Kokanee | 310,000 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 27,187 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2022 | Kokanee | 376,752 | 2.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2021 | Largemouth Bass | 25,000 | 1.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 29,850 | 3.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2021 | Kokanee | 367,098 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2020 | Largemouth Bass | 25,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 34,785 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2020 | Kokanee | 400,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 3.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2019 | Kokanee | 400,000 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2018 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 3.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 2017 | Largemouth Bass | 25,000 | 1.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 30,218 | 3.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2017 | Kokanee | 22,567 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2017 | Kokanee | 68,890 | 2.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2017 | Kokanee | 160,017 | 2.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2017 | Kokanee | 65,513 | 2.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2017 | Kokanee | 62,036 | 2.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 5,001 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 2016 | Largemouth Bass | 25,000 | 1.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 27,972 | 3.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2016 | Kokanee | 32,500 | 2.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2016 | Kokanee | 59,241 | 2.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2016 | Kokanee | 27,354 | 2.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2016 | Kokanee | 35,865 | 2.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2016 | Kokanee | 52,412 | 2.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2016 | Kokanee | 48,293 | 2.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2016 | Kokanee | 36,180 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2016 | Kokanee | 51,906 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 2015 | Largemouth Bass | 25,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 3,612 | 4.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,698 | 4.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 23,220 | 4.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2015 | Kokanee | 81,803 | 2.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2015 | Kokanee | 68,200 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2015 | Kokanee | 5,271 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2015 | Kokanee | 50,337 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Mary Ronan last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Mary Ronan was last stocked June 16, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Mary Ronan?
Lake Mary Ronan is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, Coho Salmon, Arctic Grayling, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Lake Mary Ronan stocked?
Lake Mary Ronan is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Lake Mary Ronan stocked?
Lake Mary Ronan has been stocked about 7 times a year — 685 recorded stockings between 1923 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Mary Ronan?
About 42,805,504 fish have been stocked in Lake Mary Ronan across 685 recorded events since 1923, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Mary Ronan?
Fish stocked in Lake Mary Ronan average about 3.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Mary Ronan?
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 Mary Ronan?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Mary Ronan 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.