Lake Sutherlin Fish Stocking
Montana · 1938–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Sutherlin was last stocked June 2, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Lake Sutherlin has 158 stocking records on file, spanning 1938–2026, with about 2,271,797 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Sutherlin is stocked
Lake Sutherlin is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 55 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Sutherlin
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 Sutherlin, 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 Sutherlin was last stocked June 2, 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 Sutherlin:
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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Sutherlin
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.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Lake Sutherlin, freshest activity first.
Bair Reservoir
8 mi4 species · 148 records
Last stocked June 2026
Newlan Reservoir
9 mi5 species · 164 records
Last stocked May 2026
Cottonwood Creek
8 mi4 species · 418 records
Last stocked June 2005
Flagstaff Reservoir
11 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 1999
Buckingham Reservoir
11 mi3 species · 14 records
Last stocked June 1986
Little Birch Creek
11 mi2 species · 20 records
Last stocked August 1951
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,145 | 8.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,247 | 8.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2026 | Kokanee | 2,481 | 3.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 16,260 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2025 | Kokanee | 2,775 | 3.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 4.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,413 | 7.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,304 | 7.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | Kokanee | 2,526 | 3.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 12,510 | 5.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2023 | Kokanee | 2,496 | 4.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 3.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,341 | 7.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,871 | 7.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2022 | Kokanee | 2,501 | 3.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 16,005 | 4.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2021 | Kokanee | 2,506 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 12,273 | 3.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2020 | Kokanee | 2,504 | 2.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,889 | 7.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,546 | 7.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2019 | Kokanee | 2,500 | 2.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 17,046 | 4.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 9,554 | 3.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,474 | 4.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2017 | Kokanee | 2,528 | 2.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 4.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2016 | Kokanee | 2,513 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 12,143 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2015 | Kokanee | 2,506 | 2.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2014 | Kokanee | 2,008 | 3.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 4.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 3,984 | 7.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 24, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 1,170 | 12.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 12,260 | 4.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 9,996 | 3.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 2,017 | 4.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 12,076 | 4.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 4,503 | 4.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 12,563 | 4.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 158 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Sutherlin last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lake Sutherlin was last stocked June 2, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Sutherlin?
Lake Sutherlin is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Burbot, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Lake Sutherlin stocked?
Lake Sutherlin is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Lake Sutherlin stocked?
Lake Sutherlin has been stocked about 2 times a year — 158 recorded stockings between 1938 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Sutherlin?
About 2,271,797 fish have been stocked in Lake Sutherlin across 158 recorded events since 1938, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lake Sutherlin?
Fish stocked in Lake Sutherlin average about 4.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Sutherlin?
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 Sutherlin?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Sutherlin 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.