Meadow Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1925–1952 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Meadow Creek was last stocked August 27, 1952 with Cutthroat Trout. Meadow Creek has 76 stocking records on file, spanning 1925–1952, with about 1,368,640 fish stocked over that period.
When Meadow Creek is stocked
Meadow Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 41 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Meadow Creek
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 Meadow Creek, 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 Meadow Creek was last stocked August 27, 1952, 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 Meadow Creek:
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.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
Recommended Tackle for Meadow Creek
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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Meadow Creek, freshest activity first.
Maddie Lake
12 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked June 2025
Island Lake
8 mi6 species · 37 records
Last stocked September 2024
Nevada Reservoir
7 mi3 species · 65 records
Last stocked May 2022
Geary Pond
11 mi2 species · 23 records
Last stocked June 2019
Arrastra Creek
9 mi2 species · 46 records
Last stocked July 1969
Tupper Lake
12 mi2 species · 9 records
Last stocked July 1966
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 27, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,200 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,200 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 12, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,088 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,088 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1948 | Brook Trout | 2,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1948 | Brook Trout | 2,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,640 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,640 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,334 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,334 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1945 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,666 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,666 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,224 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 1938 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 1938 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1937 | Rainbow Trout | 17,280 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,944 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,944 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,944 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,944 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,944 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,944 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,944 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1934 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1934 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 1934 | Cutthroat Trout | 24,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 1934 | Cutthroat Trout | 24,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 76 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Meadow Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Meadow Creek was last stocked August 27, 1952 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Meadow Creek?
Meadow Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Meadow Creek stocked?
Meadow Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Meadow Creek stocked?
Meadow Creek has been stocked about 3 times a year — 76 recorded stockings between 1925 and 1952.
How many fish have been stocked in Meadow Creek?
About 1,368,640 fish have been stocked in Meadow Creek across 76 recorded events since 1925, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Meadow Creek?
Fish stocked in Meadow Creek average about 1.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Meadow Creek?
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 Meadow Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Meadow Creek 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.