Missoula Kids Pond Fish Stocking
Montana · 1945–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Missoula Kids Pond was last stocked June 9, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Missoula Kids Pond has 394 stocking records on file, spanning 1945–2026, with about 142,949 fish stocked over that period.
When Missoula Kids Pond is stocked
Missoula Kids Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 181 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Missoula Kids Pond
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 Missoula Kids Pond, 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 Missoula Kids Pond was last stocked June 9, 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 Missoula Kids Pond:
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 Missoula Kids Pond
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.
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 Missoula Kids Pond, freshest activity first.
Boulder Creek
5 mi2 species · 97 records
Last stocked August 2012
Blackfoot River
6 mi2 species · 1011 records
Last stocked June 1992
Valle Creek, La
7 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 1987
Bitterroot River
5 mi4 species · 860 records
Last stocked July 1979
Lolo Creek
9 mi2 species · 111 records
Last stocked July 1979
Worden Lake
11 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 1978
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 264 | 10.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 270 | 9.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 6.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 262 | 10.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 283 | 10.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 128 | 8.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 272 | 11.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 10.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 112 | 11.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 10.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 480 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 7.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 10.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 125 | 10.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 126 | 10.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 188 | 10.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 277 | 9.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 11.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 275 | 10.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 180 | 11.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 17.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 10.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 17.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 9.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 14.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 16.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 11.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 16.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 10.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 16.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 450 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 10.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 12.96" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 16.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 11.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 250 | 7.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 11.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 19.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 10.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 18.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 18.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 498 | 8.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 9.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 394 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Missoula Kids Pond last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Missoula Kids Pond was last stocked June 9, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Missoula Kids Pond?
Missoula Kids Pond is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Missoula Kids Pond stocked?
Missoula Kids Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Missoula Kids Pond stocked?
Missoula Kids Pond has been stocked about 5 times a year — 394 recorded stockings between 1945 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Missoula Kids Pond?
About 142,949 fish have been stocked in Missoula Kids Pond across 394 recorded events since 1945, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Missoula Kids Pond?
Fish stocked in Missoula Kids Pond average about 12.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Missoula Kids Pond?
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 Missoula Kids Pond?
Freshly stocked trout in Missoula Kids Pond 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.