Pine Grove Pond Fish Stocking
Montana · 2010–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Pine Grove Pond was last stocked May 7, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Pine Grove Pond has 147 stocking records on file, spanning 2010–2026, with about 68,577 fish stocked over that period.
When Pine Grove Pond is stocked
Pine Grove Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 49 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Pine Grove Pond
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 Pine Grove Pond, 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 Pine Grove Pond was last stocked May 7, 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 Pine Grove Pond:
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Pine Grove Pond
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 Pine Grove Pond, freshest activity first.
Beaver Lake
3 mi4 species · 167 records
Last stocked June 2026
Snappys Pond
3 mi4 species · 160 records
Last stocked June 2026
Shady Lane Pond
3 mi2 species · 120 records
Last stocked June 2026
Finger Lake
4 mi3 species · 53 records
Last stocked May 2026
Buffalohead Park Pond
2 mi1 species · 43 records
Last stocked June 2025
Black Lake
4 mi3 species · 39 records
Last stocked July 2022
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 702 | 9.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 199 | 16.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 986 | 7.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 83 | 20.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 684 | 10.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 994 | 7.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 15.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 523 | 10.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 75 | 15.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 520 | 7.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 109 | 14.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 754 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,006 | 7.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 11.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 22, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 81 | 20.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 80 | 20.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 446 | 11.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 16.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,078 | 7.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 480 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 711 | 10.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 10.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 110 | 19.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 125 | 19.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,111 | 11.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 85 | 21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 38 | 26.36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 36 | 27.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 534 | 9.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 202 | 17.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 675 | 10.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 816 | 9.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 891 | 13.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,273 | 12.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 10.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 208 | 16.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,739 | 11.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,302 | 7.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,359 | 11.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 48 | 25.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 26.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 914 | 9.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 11.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,798 | 7.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 147 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Pine Grove Pond last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Pine Grove Pond was last stocked May 7, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Pine Grove Pond?
Pine Grove Pond is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Pine Grove Pond stocked?
Pine Grove Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Pine Grove Pond stocked?
Pine Grove Pond has been stocked about 9 times a year — 147 recorded stockings between 2010 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Pine Grove Pond?
About 68,577 fish have been stocked in Pine Grove Pond across 147 recorded events since 2010, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Pine Grove Pond?
Fish stocked in Pine Grove Pond average about 15.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Pine Grove Pond?
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 Pine Grove Pond?
Freshly stocked trout in Pine Grove Pond 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.