Reser Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1981–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Reser Reservoir was last stocked October 10, 2025 with Rainbow Trout. Reser Reservoir has 63 stocking records on file, spanning 1981–2025, with about 343,899 fish stocked over that period.
When Reser Reservoir is stocked
Reser Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in April — 23 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Reser Reservoir
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 Reser Reservoir, 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 Reser Reservoir was last stocked October 10, 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 Reser Reservoir:
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.
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.
Largemouth Bass Profile Tips
The centerpiece of American bass fishing culture, taken on everything from topwater lures to soft plastics and live bait.
Recommended Tackle for Reser Reservoir
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 Reser Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Salmo Reservoir
13 mi5 species · 64 records
Last stocked May 2026
BR 045 Reservoir
17 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked September 2025
Harrys Pond
10 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 2024
Davis Pond
8 mi5 species · 6 records
Last stocked August 2003
Ramberg Reservoir
16 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 1994
South Casady - BR 019
5 mi7 species · 15 records
Last stocked May 1990
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 10, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,500 | 8.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 2.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 2024 | Bluegill | 10,000 | 1.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 750 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 3.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 2023 | Bluegill | 10,000 | 1.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 6.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 2.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2012 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 2,034 | 3.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 2011 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 2010 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 3,255 | 5.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 26, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 3,003 | 3.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2004 | Bluegill | 2,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 5.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 4.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 20,100 | 4.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 5,003 | 6.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 3,036 | 4.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 4,038 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1999 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 5,110 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 10,076 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 5,014 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 7,140 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 4,998 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 15,180 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 5,088 | 6.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 3, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 3,063 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 6,003 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 5,123 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 12,222 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 4,220 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 12,145 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 1,696 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 11,968 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 1,081 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 9,168 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1985 | Largemouth Bass | 632 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1985 | Largemouth Bass | 632 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 3,060 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 63 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Reser Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Reser Reservoir was last stocked October 10, 2025 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Reser Reservoir?
Reser Reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Cutthroat Trout, Fathead Minnow, Black Crappie, Golden Shiner, Northern Redbelly Dace, Lake Chub, and Western Silvery/Plains Minnow.
What time of year is Reser Reservoir stocked?
Reser Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in April.
How often is Reser Reservoir stocked?
Reser Reservoir has been stocked about 1 times a year — 63 recorded stockings between 1981 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Reser Reservoir?
About 343,899 fish have been stocked in Reser Reservoir across 63 recorded events since 1981, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Reser Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Reser Reservoir average about 4.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Reser Reservoir?
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 Reser Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Reser Reservoir 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.