Ruby River Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1940–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Ruby River Reservoir was last stocked June 22, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Ruby River Reservoir has 189 stocking records on file, spanning 1940–2026, with about 2,803,267 fish stocked over that period.
When Ruby River Reservoir is stocked
Ruby River Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 93 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Ruby River 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 Ruby River 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 Ruby River Reservoir was last stocked June 22, 2026, 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 Ruby River 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.
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.
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 Ruby River 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Ruby River Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Elk Lake
8 mi3 species · 198 records
Last stocked May 2026
Twin Lake (Upper)
14 mi2 species · 24 records
Last stocked July 2025
Axolotl Lake
13 mi3 species · 30 records
Last stocked July 2022
Reservoir Lake
13 mi2 species · 9 records
Last stocked July 2022
Timberline Lake
9 mi2 species · 16 records
Last stocked July 2020
Vigilante Pond
11 mi2 species · 253 records
Last stocked July 2017
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 52,428 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 48,696 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 75,276 | 3.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 85,007 | 2.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 50,039 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 33,074 | 4.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 34,612 | 4.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 58,001 | 4.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 30, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 23,861 | 4.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 38,658 | 3.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 32,201 | 3.98" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 10,814 | 3.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 36,741 | 3.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 28,720 | 3.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 37,167 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 35,292 | 4.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 38,441 | 4.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 32,589 | 4.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 51,350 | 4.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 16,361 | 4.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 30,360 | 4.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 19,615 | 4.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 28,864 | 4.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 36,182 | 4.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 50,758 | 4.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 14,142 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 15,713 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 15,967 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 15,501 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 23,709 | 4.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 22,400 | 4.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 20,025 | 4.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 30,805 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 29,336 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 14,315 | 5.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 17,164 | 5.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 17,606 | 5.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 17,448 | 5.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 52,207 | 4.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 32,051 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 33,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 25,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 25,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 50,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 35,106 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 49,507 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 49,725 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 27,448 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 30,911 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 189 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Ruby River Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Ruby River Reservoir was last stocked June 22, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Ruby River Reservoir?
Ruby River Reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Ruby River Reservoir stocked?
Ruby River Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Ruby River Reservoir stocked?
Ruby River Reservoir has been stocked about 2 times a year — 189 recorded stockings between 1940 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Ruby River Reservoir?
About 2,803,267 fish have been stocked in Ruby River Reservoir across 189 recorded events since 1940, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Ruby River Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Ruby River Reservoir average about 6.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Ruby River 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 Ruby River Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Ruby River 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.