Prospect Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1925–1986 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Prospect Creek was last stocked December 3, 1986 with Brown Trout. Prospect Creek has 69 stocking records on file, spanning 1925–1986, with about 2,997,820 fish stocked over that period.
When Prospect Creek is stocked
Prospect Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 33 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Prospect 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 Prospect 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 Prospect Creek was last stocked December 3, 1986, 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 Prospect 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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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 Prospect 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 Prospect Creek, freshest activity first.
Thompson Park Pond
1 mi1 species · 64 records
Last stocked May 2026
Deer Lake
5 mi1 species · 16 records
Last stocked August 2024
Arrowhead Lake
6 mi1 species · 18 records
Last stocked August 2022
Lawn Lake
7 mi1 species · 15 records
Last stocked August 2022
Duckhead Lake
5 mi2 species · 14 records
Last stocked July 2022
Thompson River
7 mi4 species · 384 records
Last stocked June 1989
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 3, 1986 | Brown Trout | 26,592 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 3, 1986 | Brown Trout | 26,592 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 5, 1985 | Brown Trout | 29,800 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 5, 1985 | Brown Trout | 29,800 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,784 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,784 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 466 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 466 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 18, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 540 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 520 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 520 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 656 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 656 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 840 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 840 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 450,000 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 450,000 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 336,521 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 336,521 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 31, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 400,000 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 31, 1960 | Rainbow Trout | 400,000 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,850 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,850 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,565 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,565 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,260 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,260 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,040 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,040 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,040 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,160 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,160 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,160 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,160 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,250 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,400 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,400 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,200 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,200 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,200 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 69 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Prospect Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Prospect Creek was last stocked December 3, 1986 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Prospect Creek?
Prospect Creek is stocked with Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Prospect Creek stocked?
Prospect Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Prospect Creek stocked?
Prospect Creek is stocked intermittently — 69 recorded stockings between 1925 and 1986.
How many fish have been stocked in Prospect Creek?
About 2,997,820 fish have been stocked in Prospect Creek across 69 recorded events since 1925, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Prospect Creek?
Fish stocked in Prospect Creek average about 19.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Prospect 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 Prospect Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Prospect 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.