Maddie Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 2017–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Maddie Lake was last stocked June 5, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout. Maddie Lake has 5 stocking records on file, spanning 2017–2025, with about 1,300 fish stocked over that period.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Maddie 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 Maddie 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 Maddie Lake was last stocked June 5, 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 Maddie 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.
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.
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 Maddie 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Maddie Lake, freshest activity first.
Browns Lake
6 mi5 species · 286 records
Last stocked June 2026
Coopers Lake
4 mi2 species · 104 records
Last stocked October 2025
Penny Lake
4 mi2 species · 8 records
Last stocked October 2025
Hidden Lake
7 mi4 species · 103 records
Last stocked June 2025
Diamond Lake
8 mi2 species · 33 records
Last stocked August 2024
Kleinschmidt Creek
6 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 1990
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 4.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 5.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 3, 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 200 | 1.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2020 | Largemouth Bass | 200 | 2.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 5.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Maddie Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Maddie Lake was last stocked June 5, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Maddie Lake?
Maddie Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Largemouth Bass.
How often is Maddie Lake stocked?
Maddie Lake is stocked intermittently — 5 recorded stockings between 2017 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Maddie Lake?
About 1,300 fish have been stocked in Maddie Lake across 5 recorded events since 2017, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Maddie Lake?
Fish stocked in Maddie Lake average about 3.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Maddie 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 Maddie Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Maddie 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.