Missouri River Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2010 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Missouri River was last stocked October 7, 2010 with Pallid Sturgeon. Missouri River has 1,417 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2010, with about 17,573,070 fish stocked over that period.
When Missouri River is stocked
Missouri River is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 119 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri River was last stocked October 7, 2010, 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 Missouri 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.
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.
Walleye Profile Tips
Highly regarded as table fare; typically targeted with jigs, live bait rigs, or trolled crankbaits, often after dark.
Recommended Tackle for Missouri 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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Missouri River, freshest activity first.
Knudsen Bros Pond
26 mi3 species · 13 records
Last stocked June 2025
Hofman Reservoir
28 mi2 species · 69 records
Last stocked May 2025
Crusch Reservoir
21 mi2 species · 30 records
Last stocked May 2025
Yellowstone River
4 mi16 species · 1781 records
Last stocked October 2010
Bainville RR Pond #1
21 mi9 species · 28 records
Last stocked May 1996
Ericksen Reservoir
27 mi3 species · 12 records
Last stocked July 1983
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 375 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 375 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 375 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 375 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 7, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 375 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 807 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 2010 | Pallid Sturgeon | 807 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 21 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 378 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 17 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 83 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 67 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 470 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 67 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 21 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 470 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 17 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 470 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 83 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 378 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 83 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 67 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 21 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 378 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 17 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 470 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 378 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 67 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 83 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 9,780 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 9,780 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 1,203 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 1,119 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 1,203 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 1,268 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 1,119 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2009 | Pallid Sturgeon | 1,268 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 8,084 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 4,981 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 5,002 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 7,710 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 4,981 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 4,646 | 4.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 4,281 | 5.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 8,084 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2008 | Pallid Sturgeon | 5,002 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Missouri River last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Missouri River was last stocked October 7, 2010 with Pallid Sturgeon.
What fish species are stocked in Missouri River?
Missouri River is stocked with Pallid Sturgeon, Walleye, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Sauger, Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Missouri River stocked?
Missouri River is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Missouri River stocked?
Missouri River has been stocked about 17 times a year — 1,417 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2010.
How many fish have been stocked in Missouri River?
About 17,573,070 fish have been stocked in Missouri River across 1,417 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Missouri River?
Fish stocked in Missouri River average about 6.4 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Missouri 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 Missouri River?
Freshly stocked trout in Missouri 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.