Mud Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1942–1976 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mud Lake was last stocked July 20, 1976 with Cutthroat Trout. Mud Lake has 35 stocking records on file, spanning 1942–1976, with about 538,355 fish stocked over that period.
When Mud Lake is stocked
Mud Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 11 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Mud 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 Mud 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 Mud Lake was last stocked July 20, 1976, 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 Mud 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.
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.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
Recommended Tackle for Mud 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Mud Lake, freshest activity first.
Lost Lake
3 mi4 species · 96 records
Last stocked May 2026
Swan Lake
2 mi4 species · 170 records
Last stocked June 2007
Hall Creek
2 mi1 species · 28 records
Last stocked August 1995
Groom Creek
2 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked September 1992
Soup Creek
7 mi2 species · 52 records
Last stocked August 1991
South Fork Lost Creek
5 mi2 species · 33 records
Last stocked July 1968
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 20, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,080 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 855 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1970 | Brook Trout | 4,850 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 1,080 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 1968 | Brook Trout | 5,400 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,016 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,360 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1966 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 27 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 1965 | Arctic Grayling | 384 | 14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1964 | Arctic Grayling | 364 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1962 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,160 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1961 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,184 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1961 | Arctic Grayling | 150 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1961 | Arctic Grayling | 14,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 18, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,800 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,996 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1954 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,440 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,440 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1953 | Arctic Grayling | 75,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 74,254 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1952 | Arctic Grayling | 75,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,910 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,200 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1950 | Brook Trout | 700 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,224 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,720 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1948 | Arctic Grayling | 64,048 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 125,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Mud Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Mud Lake was last stocked July 20, 1976 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Mud Lake?
Mud Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Arctic Grayling.
What time of year is Mud Lake stocked?
Mud Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Mud Lake stocked?
Mud Lake is stocked intermittently — 35 recorded stockings between 1942 and 1976.
How many fish have been stocked in Mud Lake?
About 538,355 fish have been stocked in Mud Lake across 35 recorded events since 1942, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Mud Lake?
Fish stocked in Mud Lake average about 7.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Mud 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 Mud Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Mud 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.