Mcdonald Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1924–2008 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mcdonald Lake was last stocked June 23, 2008 with Cutthroat Trout. Mcdonald Lake has 113 stocking records on file, spanning 1924–2008, with about 777,214 fish stocked over that period.
When Mcdonald Lake is stocked
Mcdonald Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 25 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald Lake was last stocked June 23, 2008, 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 Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald 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.
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 Mcdonald Lake, freshest activity first.
Ninepipes Pond (Allentown)
6 mi1 species · 133 records
Last stocked May 2026
Mollman Lake 1
4 mi2 species · 17 records
Last stocked August 2024
Mollman Lake 2
4 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked August 2024
Hidden Lakes 1
3 mi3 species · 10 records
Last stocked June 2008
Swartz Pond
6 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 2002
Kicking Horse Reservoir
5 mi5 species · 40 records
Last stocked July 1991
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,001 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 2,062 | 8.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 5,277 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,159 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 9,363 | 5.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,144 | 3.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 5.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,093 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 5,070 | 2.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,520 | 3.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 6,003 | 3.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,127 | 3.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 5,022 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,339 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 5,700 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,067 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,286 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,714 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,028 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 6.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 5.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 5,015 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 9,955 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 10,998 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 4,771 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 10,003 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 5,005 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 10,018 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,050 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 10,226 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 498 | 21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 424 | 22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 9,988 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 4,839 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,360 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 312 | 20" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 9,275 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 627 | 20" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 113 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Mcdonald Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mcdonald Lake was last stocked June 23, 2008 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Mcdonald Lake?
Mcdonald Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Mcdonald Lake stocked?
Mcdonald Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Mcdonald Lake stocked?
Mcdonald Lake has been stocked about 1 times a year — 113 recorded stockings between 1924 and 2008.
How many fish have been stocked in Mcdonald Lake?
About 777,214 fish have been stocked in Mcdonald Lake across 113 recorded events since 1924, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Mcdonald Lake?
Fish stocked in Mcdonald Lake average about 7.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Mcdonald 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.