Mission Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1931–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mission Lake was last stocked May 12, 2026 with Brown Trout. Mission Lake has 179 stocking records on file, spanning 1931–2026, with about 3,847,546 fish stocked over that period.
When Mission Lake is stocked
Mission Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 52 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Mission 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 Mission 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 Mission Lake was last stocked May 12, 2026, 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 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.
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).
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Mission 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.
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.
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 Mission Lake, freshest activity first.
Kipp Lake
10 mi2 species · 82 records
Last stocked May 2026
Cut Bank Creek
19 mi4 species · 285 records
Last stocked July 2009
Four Horns Lake
15 mi3 species · 74 records
Last stocked September 2008
Cemetary Lake
18 mi1 species · 8 records
Last stocked July 2008
Magee Lake
16 mi2 species · 12 records
Last stocked June 1997
Badger Creek
6 mi3 species · 127 records
Last stocked August 1991
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2026 | Brown Trout | 12,892 | 3.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2025 | Brown Trout | 11,748 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2024 | Brown Trout | 11,435 | 3.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2023 | Brown Trout | 13,241 | 3.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Brown Trout | 11,373 | 4.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2019 | Brown Trout | 10,467 | 4.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2017 | Brown Trout | 17,849 | 4.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2016 | Brown Trout | 15,100 | 4.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 8, 2015 | Brown Trout | 14,153 | 4.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2015 | Brown Trout | 688 | 4.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2014 | Brown Trout | 15,094 | 3.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2013 | Brown Trout | 14,998 | 3.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2012 | Brown Trout | 15,071 | 3.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2011 | Brown Trout | 15,155 | 4.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2010 | Brown Trout | 16,500 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2009 | Brown Trout | 10,001 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 21,423 | 6.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2008 | Brown Trout | 15,001 | 4.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 32,057 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 26,863 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 24,188 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 6,111 | 6.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 94 | 11.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2007 | Brown Trout | 7,967 | 3.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 49,385 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 31,576 | 5.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 50,555 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 22,134 | 5.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 50,503 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2005 | Brown Trout | 11,160 | 3.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2002 | Brown Trout | 6,188 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2002 | Kokanee | 73,835 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2002 | Kokanee | 127,542 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 50,788 | 5.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 30,257 | 5.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 9,936 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 22,905 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 17,412 | 5.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2000 | Brown Trout | 10,075 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1999 | Brown Trout | 8,942 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 40,545 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 6,736 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 50,057 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 34,800 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 20,070 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 33,320 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 30,976 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 50,602 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 44,202 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 50,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 179 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Mission Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mission Lake was last stocked May 12, 2026 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Mission Lake?
Mission Lake is stocked with Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, Coho Salmon, and Chinook Salmon.
What time of year is Mission Lake stocked?
Mission Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Mission Lake stocked?
Mission Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 179 recorded stockings between 1931 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Mission Lake?
About 3,847,546 fish have been stocked in Mission Lake across 179 recorded events since 1931, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Mission Lake?
Fish stocked in Mission Lake average about 5.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Mission 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 Mission Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Mission 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.