Milk River Fish Stocking
Montana · 1930–2014 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Milk River was last stocked May 20, 2014 with Rainbow Trout. Milk River has 325 stocking records on file, spanning 1930–2014, with about 11,767,449 fish stocked over that period.
When Milk River is stocked
Milk River is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 125 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Milk River
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 Milk River, 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 Milk River was last stocked May 20, 2014, 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 Milk River:
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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
Recommended Tackle for Milk River
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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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 Milk River, freshest activity first.
Fort Peck Trout Pond
6 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked October 2025
Flat Lake
4 mi5 species · 79 records
Last stocked June 2025
Coe Campsite Pond #1
6 mi1 species · 62 records
Last stocked July 2020
Fort Peck Dredge Cuts
6 mi9 species · 77 records
Last stocked May 2013
Winter Harbor Pond
6 mi2 species · 7 records
Last stocked September 2009
Smith Reservoir
9 mi4 species · 33 records
Last stocked April 2001
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 2,534 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,465 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 3,540 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 3,540 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 6, 2011 | Brown Trout | 5,311 | 4.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2011 | Brown Trout | 5,311 | 4.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2010 | Brown Trout | 19,812 | 3.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2010 | Brown Trout | 19,812 | 3.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2009 | Brown Trout | 11,949 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2009 | Brown Trout | 11,949 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2008 | Brown Trout | 11,925 | 3.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2008 | Brown Trout | 11,925 | 3.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2007 | Brown Trout | 10,725 | 4.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2007 | Brown Trout | 10,725 | 4.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2006 | Brown Trout | 6,270 | 3.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2006 | Brown Trout | 6,270 | 3.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2005 | Brown Trout | 7,044 | 3.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2005 | Brown Trout | 7,044 | 3.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 6.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 6.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2003 | Brown Trout | 11,987 | 4.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2003 | Brown Trout | 11,987 | 4.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2002 | Brown Trout | 12,000 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2002 | Brown Trout | 12,000 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2001 | Brown Trout | 11,983 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2001 | Brown Trout | 11,983 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2000 | Brown Trout | 12,017 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 325 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Milk River last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Milk River was last stocked May 20, 2014 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Milk River?
Milk River is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Walleye, Brook Trout, Bullhead, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Milk River stocked?
Milk River is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Milk River stocked?
Milk River has been stocked about 4 times a year — 325 recorded stockings between 1930 and 2014.
How many fish have been stocked in Milk River?
About 11,767,449 fish have been stocked in Milk River across 325 recorded events since 1930, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Milk River?
Fish stocked in Milk River average about 5.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Milk River?
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 Milk River?
Freshly stocked trout in Milk River 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.