Lake Of The Woods Fish Stocking
Montana · 1927–2022 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Of The Woods was last stocked July 27, 2022 with Cutthroat Trout. Lake Of The Woods has 56 stocking records on file, spanning 1927–2022, with about 521,927 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Of The Woods is stocked
Lake Of The Woods is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 13 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Of The Woods
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 Of The Woods, 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 Of The Woods was last stocked July 27, 2022, 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 Of The Woods:
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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Of The Woods
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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Lake Of The Woods, freshest activity first.
Sunrise Lake
5 mi4 species · 55 records
Last stocked June 2025
Russ Lake
5 mi2 species · 56 records
Last stocked June 2025
Mollman Lake 2
4 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked August 2024
Mollman Lake 1
4 mi2 species · 17 records
Last stocked August 2024
Hemlock Lake
5 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked August 2024
Jim Lake 19
5 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked July 2022
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 27, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,350 | 1.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 993 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 1,110 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 4.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 16, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 2,031 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,512 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,024 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,014 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,262 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,060 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 1972 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,120 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1971 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,880 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1971 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,436 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 12, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 544 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 11, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 5,800 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 5,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 5,999 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 6,007 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 2,881 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 2,002 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 2,002 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 1957 | Rainbow Trout | 10,020 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1956 | Rainbow Trout | 2,400 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1956 | Rainbow Trout | 2,802 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1956 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1955 | Rainbow Trout | 15,004 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1954 | Rainbow Trout | 6,364 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1953 | Brook Trout | 400 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,024 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 686 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 1950 | Brook Trout | 840 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 1949 | Brook Trout | 5,760 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 1948 | Brook Trout | 3,840 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1944 | Rainbow Trout | 5,160 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 11,880 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1941 | Brook Trout | 1,600 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1938 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1934 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1929 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 56 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Of The Woods last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Of The Woods was last stocked July 27, 2022 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Of The Woods?
Lake Of The Woods is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Lake Of The Woods stocked?
Lake Of The Woods is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Lake Of The Woods stocked?
Lake Of The Woods is stocked intermittently — 56 recorded stockings between 1927 and 2022.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Of The Woods?
About 521,927 fish have been stocked in Lake Of The Woods across 56 recorded events since 1927, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Of The Woods?
Fish stocked in Lake Of The Woods average about 4.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Of The Woods?
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 Of The Woods?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Of The Woods 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.