Loon Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1930–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Loon Lake was last stocked May 28, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Loon Lake has 182 stocking records on file, spanning 1930–2026, with about 3,018,379 fish stocked over that period.
When Loon Lake is stocked
Loon Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 40 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Loon 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 Loon 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 Loon Lake was last stocked May 28, 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 Loon 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.
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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Loon 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.
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 Loon Lake, freshest activity first.
Bootjack Lake
0 mi4 species · 145 records
Last stocked June 2026
Smith Lake
10 mi6 species · 68 records
Last stocked May 2026
Sylvia Lake
5 mi3 species · 66 records
Last stocked August 2025
Ashley Lake
10 mi5 species · 364 records
Last stocked September 2023
Davis Lake
6 mi1 species · 16 records
Last stocked July 2022
Sheldon's Pond
9 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 2002
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,832 | 8.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,196 | 7.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,084 | 7.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,237 | 7.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 11, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,140 | 8.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,618 | 8.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 10.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 10.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,580 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,280 | 10.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 725 | 10.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,040 | 4.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 928 | 10.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 24, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 956 | 10.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,682 | 1.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 10.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,786 | 1.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,164 | 1.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 2,010 | 6.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,862 | 2.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2012 | Smallmouth Bass | 23,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2012 | Smallmouth Bass | 23,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2012 | Smallmouth Bass | 4,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | 8.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | 8.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,016 | 1.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2011 | Smallmouth Bass | 23,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2011 | Smallmouth Bass | 23,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2011 | Smallmouth Bass | 23,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2011 | Smallmouth Bass | 4,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 8.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 8.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 2010 | Smallmouth Bass | 2,500 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,034 | 1.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,115 | 4.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 8.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,030 | 8.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,044 | 1.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,014 | 4.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 2,046 | 6.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2008 | Smallmouth Bass | 4,200 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 182 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Loon Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Loon Lake was last stocked May 28, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Loon Lake?
Loon Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Arctic Grayling, Brook Trout, Coho Salmon, and Chinook Salmon.
What time of year is Loon Lake stocked?
Loon Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Loon Lake stocked?
Loon Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 182 recorded stockings between 1930 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Loon Lake?
About 3,018,379 fish have been stocked in Loon Lake across 182 recorded events since 1930, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Loon Lake?
Fish stocked in Loon Lake average about 4.4 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Loon 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 Loon Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Loon 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.