Mill Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2002 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mill Creek was last stocked April 29, 2002 with Cutthroat Trout. Mill Creek has 246 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2002, with about 4,245,960 fish stocked over that period.
When Mill Creek is stocked
Mill Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in September — 68 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Mill 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 Mill 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 Mill Creek was last stocked April 29, 2002, 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 Mill 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.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
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.
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
Recommended Tackle for Mill 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.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Mill Creek, freshest activity first.
Maney Lake
8 mi1 species · 28 records
Last stocked June 2025
Boulder School Pond
9 mi1 species · 27 records
Last stocked April 1974
Bison Creek
5 mi3 species · 71 records
Last stocked July 1973
State School Pond
6 mi2 species · 12 records
Last stocked July 1969
Lowland Creek
6 mi3 species · 35 records
Last stocked July 1969
Eightmile Creek
6 mi3 species · 45 records
Last stocked September 1954
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 971 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1997 | Kokanee | 447,947 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1997 | Kokanee | 447,947 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 1996 | Kokanee | 301,553 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 1996 | Kokanee | 301,553 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,963 | 0.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,012 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,010 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,010 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,012 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,151 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,151 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,925 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,640 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 158 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,948 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 117 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 117 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 195 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 1,142 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 1,142 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 252 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 252 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 224 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 306 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 306 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 765 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 765 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 428 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 190 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 246 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Mill Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mill Creek was last stocked April 29, 2002 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Mill Creek?
Mill Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Mill Creek stocked?
Mill Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in September.
How often is Mill Creek stocked?
Mill Creek has been stocked about 3 times a year — 246 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2002.
How many fish have been stocked in Mill Creek?
About 4,245,960 fish have been stocked in Mill Creek across 246 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Mill Creek?
Fish stocked in Mill Creek average about 4.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Mill 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 Mill Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Mill 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.