Lion Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1934–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lion Lake was last stocked May 29, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout. Lion Lake has 183 stocking records on file, spanning 1934–2025, with about 243,498 fish stocked over that period.
When Lion Lake is stocked
Lion Lake is typically stocked in winter and spring, most often in May — 51 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lion 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 Lion 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 Lion Lake was last stocked May 29, 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 Lion 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.
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 Lion 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 Lion Lake, freshest activity first.
Round Lake
5 mi4 species · 59 records
Last stocked May 2026
Doris Lake 1
4 mi1 species · 18 records
Last stocked September 2025
Doris Lake 2
5 mi1 species · 16 records
Last stocked September 2025
Beta Lake
4 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked July 2025
Fawn Lake
5 mi1 species · 14 records
Last stocked July 2025
Jenny Lake
4 mi1 species · 15 records
Last stocked July 2022
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,505 | 7.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,508 | 8.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 18, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,200 | 1.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 8.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 15.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 201 | 7.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 188 | 11.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 812 | 10.72" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 19.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 9.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 15.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 14, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 7.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 14, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 5 | 29.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 14, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 20 | 17.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 275 | 9.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 16, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 375 | 9.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 18, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 18, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 21 | 17.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 18, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 5 | 23.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 25, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 9.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 24, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 23.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 24, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 8.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 17.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 15 | 24.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 10 | 28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 900 | 9.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 31 | 22.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 360 | 8.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 20, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 16.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 5,524 | 5.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 265 | 9.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 10.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 22, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 76 | 21.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,025 | 10.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,004 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 804 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 31, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 161 | 23.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 1,014 | 5.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 12, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 57 | 18.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| February 21, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 101 | 18.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 183 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lion Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lion Lake was last stocked May 29, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lion Lake?
Lion Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Lion Lake stocked?
Lion Lake is typically stocked in winter and spring, most often in May.
How often is Lion Lake stocked?
Lion Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 183 recorded stockings between 1934 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Lion Lake?
About 243,498 fish have been stocked in Lion Lake across 183 recorded events since 1934, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lion Lake?
Fish stocked in Lion Lake average about 12.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lion 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 Lion Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Lion 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.