Painted Rocks Reservior Fish Stocking
Montana · 1940–1984 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Painted Rocks Reservior was last stocked June 20, 1984 with Cutthroat Trout. Painted Rocks Reservior has 45 stocking records on file, spanning 1940–1984, with about 422,966 fish stocked over that period.
When Painted Rocks Reservior is stocked
Painted Rocks Reservior is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 18 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Painted Rocks Reservior
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 Painted Rocks Reservior, 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 Painted Rocks Reservior was last stocked June 20, 1984, 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 Painted Rocks Reservior:
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).
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.
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 Painted Rocks Reservior
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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Painted Rocks Reservior, freshest activity first.
Piquett Lake
6 mi1 species · 4 records
Last stocked July 2008
Capri Lake
10 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 1979
Lake Turbid
11 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 1969
Overwhich Creek
2 mi2 species · 33 records
Last stocked August 1954
Pass Lake
10 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 1952
Hughes Creek
6 mi2 species · 15 records
Last stocked August 1951
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 20, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,494 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1982 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,465 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,018 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,775 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,076 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,100 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,947 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,968 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 37 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,742 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,050 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 4,012 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,020 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,020 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 4,131 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 4,040 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 4,028 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 4,140 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 10,080 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 10,260 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 10,240 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 3,840 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 7,200 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1951 | Coho Salmon | 8,680 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1951 | Coho Salmon | 9,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1950 | Coho Salmon | 5,880 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1943 | Rainbow Trout | 3,400 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 2,760 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 56,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1942 | Rainbow Trout | 52,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 2,300 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 1941 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 1941 | Coho Salmon | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 1941 | Coho Salmon | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1940 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Painted Rocks Reservior last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Painted Rocks Reservior was last stocked June 20, 1984 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Painted Rocks Reservior?
Painted Rocks Reservior is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Painted Rocks Reservior stocked?
Painted Rocks Reservior is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Painted Rocks Reservior stocked?
Painted Rocks Reservior is stocked intermittently — 45 recorded stockings between 1940 and 1984.
How many fish have been stocked in Painted Rocks Reservior?
About 422,966 fish have been stocked in Painted Rocks Reservior across 45 recorded events since 1940, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Painted Rocks Reservior?
Fish stocked in Painted Rocks Reservior average about 6.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Painted Rocks Reservior?
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 Painted Rocks Reservior?
Freshly stocked trout in Painted Rocks Reservior 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.