Porcupine Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1933–1954 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Porcupine Creek was last stocked May 18, 1954 with Brook Trout. Porcupine Creek has 42 stocking records on file, spanning 1933–1954, with about 511,080 fish stocked over that period.
When Porcupine Creek is stocked
Porcupine Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 14 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Porcupine 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 Porcupine 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 Porcupine Creek was last stocked May 18, 1954, 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 Porcupine 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.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
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 Porcupine 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.
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 Porcupine Creek, freshest activity first.
Boyd's Reservoir
10 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 1995
Cottonwood Reservoir
5 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked September 1990
Muddy Creek
10 mi4 species · 74 records
Last stocked May 1971
Brackett Creek
8 mi4 species · 67 records
Last stocked July 1968
North Fork Elk Creek
8 mi3 species · 15 records
Last stocked May 1954
South Fork Horse Creek
8 mi3 species · 30 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 18, 1954 | Brook Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1954 | Brook Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1953 | Brook Trout | 30,720 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1953 | Brook Trout | 30,720 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 1953 | Brook Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 1953 | Brook Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 34 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 1952 | Brook Trout | 19,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1952 | Brook Trout | 19,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 1951 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 1951 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1950 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1950 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 10,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 1946 | Rainbow Trout | 10,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1945 | Brown Trout | 9,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1944 | Brown Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1944 | Brown Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1943 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1942 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1942 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1941 | Brook Trout | 20,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1941 | Brook Trout | 20,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1940 | Brook Trout | 3,800 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1940 | Brook Trout | 3,800 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1940 | Brook Trout | 17,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1940 | Brook Trout | 17,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1940 | Brook Trout | 6,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1940 | Brook Trout | 6,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1938 | Brook Trout | 6,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1938 | Brook Trout | 6,200 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1936 | Rainbow Trout | 38,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1936 | Rainbow Trout | 38,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 25, 1933 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Porcupine Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Porcupine Creek was last stocked May 18, 1954 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Porcupine Creek?
Porcupine Creek is stocked with Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Porcupine Creek stocked?
Porcupine Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Porcupine Creek stocked?
Porcupine Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 42 recorded stockings between 1933 and 1954.
How many fish have been stocked in Porcupine Creek?
About 511,080 fish have been stocked in Porcupine Creek across 42 recorded events since 1933, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Porcupine Creek?
Fish stocked in Porcupine Creek average about 2.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Porcupine 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 Porcupine Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Porcupine 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.