Prickly Pear Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1973 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Prickly Pear Creek was last stocked July 10, 1973 with Rainbow Trout. Prickly Pear Creek has 81 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1973, with about 384,046 fish stocked over that period.
When Prickly Pear Creek is stocked
Prickly Pear Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 40 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Prickly Pear 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 Prickly Pear 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 Prickly Pear Creek was last stocked July 10, 1973, 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 Prickly Pear 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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Prickly Pear 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 Prickly Pear Creek, freshest activity first.
Willow Creek Reservoir
12 mi5 species · 460 records
Last stocked June 2026
Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
7 mi2 species · 80 records
Last stocked May 2026
Hauser Reservoir
5 mi10 species · 897 records
Last stocked April 2026
Margaret Lake
12 mi1 species · 26 records
Last stocked August 2024
Fairgrounds Pond
12 mi1 species · 105 records
Last stocked May 2024
Spokane Creek
7 mi2 species · 13 records
Last stocked February 2001
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 10, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 1,326 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 1,326 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 590 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 590 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 714 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 714 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 29, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 695 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 695 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 532 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 532 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 735 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 735 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 734 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 734 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 744 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 744 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 896 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 896 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 858 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 858 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 3,932 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 3,932 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 4,400 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 4,400 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 4,003 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 4,003 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 4,413 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 4,413 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 4,005 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 4,005 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 4,004 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 4,004 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 2,026 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 2,026 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 2,008 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1959 | Rainbow Trout | 2,008 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1958 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 81 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Prickly Pear Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Prickly Pear Creek was last stocked July 10, 1973 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Prickly Pear Creek?
Prickly Pear Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Prickly Pear Creek stocked?
Prickly Pear Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Prickly Pear Creek stocked?
Prickly Pear Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 81 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1973.
How many fish have been stocked in Prickly Pear Creek?
About 384,046 fish have been stocked in Prickly Pear Creek across 81 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Prickly Pear Creek?
Fish stocked in Prickly Pear Creek average about 7.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Prickly Pear 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 Prickly Pear Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Prickly Pear 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.