Mcgilvray Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1949–2006 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mcgilvray Lake was last stocked June 9, 2006 with Rainbow Trout. Mcgilvray Lake has 43 stocking records on file, spanning 1949–2006, with about 80,147 fish stocked over that period.
When Mcgilvray Lake is stocked
Mcgilvray Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 17 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Mcgilvray 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 Mcgilvray 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 Mcgilvray Lake was last stocked June 9, 2006, 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 Mcgilvray 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.
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.
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 Mcgilvray 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 Mcgilvray Lake, freshest activity first.
Sawdust Lake
3 mi3 species · 20 records
Last stocked May 1970
East Bass Lake
3 mi1 species · 17 records
Last stocked May 1968
Basham Lake
1 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked May 1968
Spill Lake
1 mi4 species · 20 records
Last stocked May 1968
Grayling Lake Number One
1 mi3 species · 22 records
Last stocked April 1966
Pratt Lake
2 mi2 species · 18 records
Last stocked April 1966
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 6,417 | 6.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 5,440 | 10.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 1,732 | 10.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 4,050 | 14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 2,574 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 428 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 424 | 16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 35 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 176 | 20" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 175 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 475 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 76 | 20" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 630 | 14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 1,330 | 14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 2,560 | 17.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 15 | 23.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 1,981 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 551 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 52 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 1985 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,004 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 3,072 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 3,013 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 2,970 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 2,560 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 1,650 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 1,607 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 1,604 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 901 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 2,020 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 1,993 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 2,015 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 1957 | Rainbow Trout | 2,160 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1956 | Rainbow Trout | 1,998 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1955 | Rainbow Trout | 2,019 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1954 | Rainbow Trout | 2,015 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 490 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 294 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 4,600 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 306 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Mcgilvray Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mcgilvray Lake was last stocked June 9, 2006 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Mcgilvray Lake?
Mcgilvray Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Mcgilvray Lake stocked?
Mcgilvray Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Mcgilvray Lake stocked?
Mcgilvray Lake is stocked intermittently — 43 recorded stockings between 1949 and 2006.
How many fish have been stocked in Mcgilvray Lake?
About 80,147 fish have been stocked in Mcgilvray Lake across 43 recorded events since 1949, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Mcgilvray Lake?
Fish stocked in Mcgilvray Lake average about 8.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Mcgilvray 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 Mcgilvray Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Mcgilvray 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.