Pat Labree Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1947–2024 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Pat Labree Reservoir was last stocked August 21, 2024 with Largemouth Bass. Pat Labree Reservoir has 54 stocking records on file, spanning 1947–2024, with about 140,985 fish stocked over that period.
When Pat Labree Reservoir is stocked
Pat Labree Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 24 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Pat Labree 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 Pat Labree 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 Pat Labree Reservoir was last stocked August 21, 2024, 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 Pat Labree 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.
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.
Largemouth Bass Profile Tips
The centerpiece of American bass fishing culture, taken on everything from topwater lures to soft plastics and live bait.
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 Pat Labree 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.
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.
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 Pat Labree Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Rath Pond
15 mi3 species · 10 records
Last stocked May 2025
Smith Cattle Inc. Res.
14 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked July 2003
Hanley Pond
14 mi4 species · 15 records
Last stocked April 2001
Camp Reservoir
15 mi1 species · 21 records
Last stocked May 1987
McKay Trout Pond
14 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked April 1984
Bartholemew Reservoir
13 mi2 species · 3 records
Last stocked July 1983
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 21, 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 1,000 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 1,985 | 1.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 4.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 1.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 2.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 1.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 5, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1991 | Largemouth Bass | 6,446 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1991 | Smallmouth Bass | 2,500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1990 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 2,728 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 650 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 650 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 1989 | Largemouth Bass | 650 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1988 | Largemouth Bass | 6,800 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1988 | Largemouth Bass | 26 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1988 | Largemouth Bass | 4,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1988 | Largemouth Bass | 10,000 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1986 | Largemouth Bass | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1985 | Largemouth Bass | 900 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1983 | Smallmouth Bass | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1973 | Largemouth Bass | 6,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 54 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Pat Labree Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Pat Labree Reservoir was last stocked August 21, 2024 with Largemouth Bass.
What fish species are stocked in Pat Labree Reservoir?
Pat Labree Reservoir is stocked with Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Bluegill.
What time of year is Pat Labree Reservoir stocked?
Pat Labree Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Pat Labree Reservoir stocked?
Pat Labree Reservoir is stocked intermittently — 54 recorded stockings between 1947 and 2024.
How many fish have been stocked in Pat Labree Reservoir?
About 140,985 fish have been stocked in Pat Labree Reservoir across 54 recorded events since 1947, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Pat Labree Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Pat Labree Reservoir average about 2.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Pat Labree 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 Pat Labree Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Pat Labree 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.