Rainy Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1931–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Rainy Lake was last stocked June 5, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout. Rainy Lake has 56 stocking records on file, spanning 1931–2025, with about 439,484 fish stocked over that period.
When Rainy Lake is stocked
Rainy Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 24 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Rainy Lake
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 Rainy Lake, 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 Rainy Lake was last stocked June 5, 2025, 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 Rainy Lake:
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.
Bass & Panfish Approach
Target visible structure such as docks, weed lines, and fallen trees. Small 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig heads with soft plastic grubs or live worms under a float work well for crappie and bluegill; soft plastic worms or spinnerbaits work well for bass.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
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.
Arctic Grayling Profile Tips
A popular dry-fly target in Montana and Utah's high-country waters, prized for its willingness to rise.
Recommended Tackle for Rainy Lake
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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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 Rainy Lake, freshest activity first.
Lake Alva
2 mi4 species · 158 records
Last stocked June 2025
Lake Inez
4 mi4 species · 141 records
Last stocked June 2025
Pierce Lake
4 mi2 species · 48 records
Last stocked June 2025
Clearwater Lake
4 mi2 species · 39 records
Last stocked June 2023
Lake Marshall
4 mi2 species · 32 records
Last stocked June 2015
Pierce Creek
5 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 1996
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 4.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 960 | 4.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 4.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 4.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 5.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 645 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 5.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,074 | 5.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,800 | 5.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,200 | 5.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 200 | 13.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,255 | 13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1973 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,127 | 13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1970 | Arctic Grayling | 10,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1970 | Arctic Grayling | 30,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1970 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,300 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 1963 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,298 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 1963 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,587 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 1963 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,092 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1962 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,106 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1961 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,456 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,875 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,040 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,875 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1955 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,496 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 1954 | Kokanee | 98,791 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,960 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,333 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 45,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 21,224 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 56 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Rainy Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Rainy Lake was last stocked June 5, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Rainy Lake?
Rainy Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, and Largemouth Bass.
What time of year is Rainy Lake stocked?
Rainy Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Rainy Lake stocked?
Rainy Lake is stocked intermittently — 56 recorded stockings between 1931 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Rainy Lake?
About 439,484 fish have been stocked in Rainy Lake across 56 recorded events since 1931, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Rainy Lake?
Fish stocked in Rainy Lake average about 5.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Rainy Lake?
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 Rainy Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Rainy Lake 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.