Picket Pin Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1939–1983 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Picket Pin Creek was last stocked November 8, 1983 with Arctic Grayling. Picket Pin Creek has 3 stocking records on file, spanning 1939–1983, with about 3,609 fish stocked over that period.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Picket Pin Creek
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 Picket Pin Creek, 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 Picket Pin Creek was last stocked November 8, 1983, 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 Picket Pin Creek:
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.
Arctic Grayling Profile Tips
A popular dry-fly target in Montana and Utah's high-country waters, prized for its willingness to rise.
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 Picket Pin Creek
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 Picket Pin Creek, freshest activity first.
Picket Pin Lake, North
6 mi1 species · 15 records
Last stocked August 2025
Chrome Lake
10 mi4 species · 19 records
Last stocked September 2024
Picket Pin Lake, South
6 mi1 species · 17 records
Last stocked August 2023
Saderbalm Lake
9 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked September 2022
West Fork Stillwater River
7 mi2 species · 10 records
Last stocked April 1972
Iron Creek
3 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked September 1971
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 8, 1983 | Arctic Grayling | 409 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1939 | Rainbow Trout | 1,600 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1939 | Rainbow Trout | 1,600 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Picket Pin Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Picket Pin Creek was last stocked November 8, 1983 with Arctic Grayling.
What fish species are stocked in Picket Pin Creek?
Picket Pin Creek is stocked with Arctic Grayling and Rainbow Trout.
How often is Picket Pin Creek stocked?
Picket Pin Creek is stocked intermittently — 3 recorded stockings between 1939 and 1983.
How many fish have been stocked in Picket Pin Creek?
About 3,609 fish have been stocked in Picket Pin Creek across 3 recorded events since 1939, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Picket Pin Creek?
Fish stocked in Picket Pin Creek average about 4.3 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Picket Pin Creek?
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 Picket Pin Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Picket Pin Creek 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.