Nilan Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1951–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Nilan Reservoir was last stocked May 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Nilan Reservoir has 224 stocking records on file, spanning 1951–2026, with about 7,090,697 fish stocked over that period.
When Nilan Reservoir is stocked
Nilan Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June — 66 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Nilan Reservoir
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 Nilan Reservoir, 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 Nilan Reservoir was last stocked May 26, 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 Nilan Reservoir:
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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
Recommended Tackle for Nilan Reservoir
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 Nilan Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Swazee Lake
5 mi2 species · 66 records
Last stocked May 2025
Spring Creek
6 mi6 species · 624 records
Last stocked July 2011
Pauls Lake
2 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked June 1977
Ford Creek
3 mi3 species · 55 records
Last stocked June 1965
Hoglund Lake
7 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 1954
Barr Creek
3 mi1 species · 8 records
Last stocked September 1952
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | 3.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 3.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 20,640 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 42,631 | 3.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 21,231 | 5.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 5.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 3.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 26,251 | 5.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 24,865 | 5.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 7,824 | 3.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 36,968 | 3.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 23,298 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 15,903 | 4.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 20,175 | 4.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | 3.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 3.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 9,972 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 42,398 | 3.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | 4.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 8,997 | 5.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 7,729 | 3.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 19,336 | 4.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 21,164 | 5.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 29,610 | 5.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 10,475 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 39,016 | 3.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 17,705 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 12,394 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 23,997 | 2.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 10,751 | 4.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2016 | Brown Trout | 998 | 4.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 43,969 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2015 | Brook Trout | 5,772 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 4,004 | 5.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 10,262 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 40,104 | 3.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 29,752 | 5.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 10,600 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 15,200 | 2.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,917 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 44,000 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 9,537 | 5.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 30,924 | 5.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 7,696 | 3.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 224 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Nilan Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Nilan Reservoir was last stocked May 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Nilan Reservoir?
Nilan Reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Nilan Reservoir stocked?
Nilan Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June.
How often is Nilan Reservoir stocked?
Nilan Reservoir has been stocked about 3 times a year — 224 recorded stockings between 1951 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Nilan Reservoir?
About 7,090,697 fish have been stocked in Nilan Reservoir across 224 recorded events since 1951, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Nilan Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Nilan Reservoir average about 4.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Nilan Reservoir?
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 Nilan Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Nilan Reservoir 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.