Leningtons Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1948–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Leningtons Reservoir was last stocked October 16, 2025 with Brown Trout. Leningtons Reservoir has 62 stocking records on file, spanning 1948–2025, with about 144,141 fish stocked over that period.
When Leningtons Reservoir is stocked
Leningtons Reservoir is typically stocked in summer, most often in May — 19 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Leningtons Reservoir
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 Leningtons Reservoir, 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 Leningtons Reservoir was last stocked October 16, 2025, 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 Leningtons Reservoir:
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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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 Leningtons Reservoir
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 Leningtons Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Eightmile Springs
14 mi6 species · 72 records
Last stocked May 2026
Schoonover Reservoir 2
10 mi4 species · 14 records
Last stocked August 2025
Marias River
10 mi8 species · 247 records
Last stocked September 2023
Diacon Pond
15 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked June 2021
Gottfried Pond
10 mi1 species · 4 records
Last stocked May 2000
Stewart Pond 1
16 mi1 species · 28 records
Last stocked May 1999
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 16, 2025 | Brown Trout | 863 | 6.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2025 | Brown Trout | 250 | 4.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 5.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2021 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2020 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 0.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 3, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2019 | Largemouth Bass | 2,682 | 1.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2018 | Largemouth Bass | 1,500 | 2.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 2017 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 3.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 2016 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2015 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 5.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 2,700 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 5.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 3,024 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 2,993 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 2,997 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 3,018 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 3,013 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 3,016 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 3,015 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 3,009 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 3,014 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 2,988 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1978 | Brook Trout | 6,136 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1977 | Brook Trout | 2,037 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 1976 | Brook Trout | 3,197 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 2,016 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 2,100 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1974 | Brook Trout | 1,064 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 3,010 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1971 | Brook Trout | 1,071 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 62 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Leningtons Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Leningtons Reservoir was last stocked October 16, 2025 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Leningtons Reservoir?
Leningtons Reservoir is stocked with Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Bluegill.
What time of year is Leningtons Reservoir stocked?
Leningtons Reservoir is typically stocked in summer, most often in May.
How often is Leningtons Reservoir stocked?
Leningtons Reservoir is stocked intermittently — 62 recorded stockings between 1948 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Leningtons Reservoir?
About 144,141 fish have been stocked in Leningtons Reservoir across 62 recorded events since 1948, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Leningtons Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Leningtons Reservoir average about 4.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Leningtons Reservoir?
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 Leningtons Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Leningtons Reservoir 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.