Mission Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1953 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mission Creek was last stocked June 25, 1953 with Rainbow Trout. Mission Creek has 69 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1953, with about 1,313,144 fish stocked over that period.
When Mission Creek is stocked
Mission Creek is typically stocked in fall, most often in September — 26 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Mission 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 Mission 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 Mission Creek was last stocked June 25, 1953, 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 Mission 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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Mission 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 Mission Creek, freshest activity first.
Indian Road Pond
9 mi2 species · 90 records
Last stocked May 2026
Weasel Lake
12 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked September 2025
Edith Lake
10 mi3 species · 43 records
Last stocked September 2025
Trout Lake
12 mi2 species · 113 records
Last stocked July 2025
South Fork Crow Creek
9 mi3 species · 11 records
Last stocked July 2006
Plunket Lake
9 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked February 1993
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 25, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 4, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 1,512 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 1,512 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,240 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,240 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1948 | Brown Trout | 12,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 39,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 39,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1942 | Brown Trout | 16,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1942 | Brown Trout | 16,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 32,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,600 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,600 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1939 | Cutthroat Trout | 26,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1939 | Cutthroat Trout | 26,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1939 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,590 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1939 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,590 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1938 | Cutthroat Trout | 29,705 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1938 | Cutthroat Trout | 29,705 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,225 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,225 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 69 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Mission Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mission Creek was last stocked June 25, 1953 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Mission Creek?
Mission Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Mission Creek stocked?
Mission Creek is typically stocked in fall, most often in September.
How often is Mission Creek stocked?
Mission Creek has been stocked about 3 times a year — 69 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1953.
How many fish have been stocked in Mission Creek?
About 1,313,144 fish have been stocked in Mission Creek across 69 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Mission Creek?
Fish stocked in Mission Creek average about 2.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Mission 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 Mission Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Mission 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.