Lena Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1942–2021 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lena Lake was last stocked October 16, 2021 with Cutthroat Trout. Lena Lake has 28 stocking records on file, spanning 1942–2021, with about 152,970 fish stocked over that period.
When Lena Lake is stocked
Lena Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 20 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lena Lake
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 Lena Lake, 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 Lena Lake was last stocked October 16, 2021, 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 Lena Lake:
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.
Golden Trout Profile Tips
A bucket-list fish for many western anglers, often requiring a backcountry hike to reach stocked alpine lakes.
Recommended Tackle for Lena Lake
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 Lena Lake, freshest activity first.
Placid Lake
3 mi6 species · 275 records
Last stocked October 2025
Heart Lake
6 mi5 species · 38 records
Last stocked September 2025
Hall Lake
4 mi1 species · 32 records
Last stocked August 2024
Seeley Lake
2 mi7 species · 536 records
Last stocked May 2024
Salmon Lake
7 mi5 species · 86 records
Last stocked May 2024
Tuppers Lake
1 mi3 species · 8 records
Last stocked June 2019
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 16, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,552 | 1.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,400 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,653 | 1.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 953 | 1.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,794 | 1.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,283 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 740 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 2014 | Golden Trout | 1,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 20 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 27, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,400 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 840 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 349 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,200 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,464 | 1.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,196 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,064 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 0.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,046 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,920 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,996 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1986 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1986 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,320 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Lena Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lena Lake was last stocked October 16, 2021 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lena Lake?
Lena Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Lena Lake stocked?
Lena Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Lena Lake stocked?
Lena Lake is stocked intermittently — 28 recorded stockings between 1942 and 2021.
How many fish have been stocked in Lena Lake?
About 152,970 fish have been stocked in Lena Lake across 28 recorded events since 1942, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lena Lake?
Fish stocked in Lena Lake average about 2.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lena Lake?
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 Lena Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Lena Lake 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.