Lower Twin Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1936–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lower Twin Lake was last stocked September 30, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout. Lower Twin Lake has 100 stocking records on file, spanning 1936–2025, with about 760,641 fish stocked over that period.
When Lower Twin Lake is stocked
Lower Twin Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 60 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lower Twin 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 Lower Twin 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 Lower Twin Lake was last stocked September 30, 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 Lower Twin 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.
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).
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 Lower Twin 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.
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 Lower Twin Lake, freshest activity first.
Twelvemile Lake
2 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked July 2023
Blodgett Lake
5 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked July 2023
Heinrich Lake
9 mi1 species · 8 records
Last stocked July 2023
Boulder Lake
11 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked August 2000
Tenmile Lake
1 mi2 species · 8 records
Last stocked August 1990
Lake Capitan
12 mi1 species · 5 records
Last stocked August 1990
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 2.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 1.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,400 | 2.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 2.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 2.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,400 | 2.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,900 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,500 | 6.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,002 | 1.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,002 | 1.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 5.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 1.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,200 | 6.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 3, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 1.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 5.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,400 | 5.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 5.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,400 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,437 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,700 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,095 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,834 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,278 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,020 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,438 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,540 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 6,010 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 6,579 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 3,200 | 6.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 6.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 871 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 5,512 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 6,014 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 6,617 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 6,593 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 1,808 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 1,092 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 5,118 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 6,577 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 6,547 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 100 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lower Twin Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Lower Twin Lake was last stocked September 30, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lower Twin Lake?
Lower Twin Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Lower Twin Lake stocked?
Lower Twin Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Lower Twin Lake stocked?
Lower Twin Lake is stocked intermittently — 100 recorded stockings between 1936 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Lower Twin Lake?
About 760,641 fish have been stocked in Lower Twin Lake across 100 recorded events since 1936, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Lower Twin Lake?
Fish stocked in Lower Twin Lake average about 3.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lower Twin 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 Lower Twin Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Lower Twin 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.