Shady Lane Pond Fish Stocking
Montana · 2001–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Shady Lane Pond was last stocked June 4, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Shady Lane Pond has 120 stocking records on file, spanning 2001–2026, with about 105,326 fish stocked over that period.
When Shady Lane Pond is stocked
Shady Lane Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 32 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Shady Lane Pond
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 Shady Lane Pond, 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 Shady Lane Pond was last stocked June 4, 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 Shady Lane Pond:
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 Shady Lane Pond
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 Shady Lane Pond, freshest activity first.
Snappys Pond
1 mi4 species · 160 records
Last stocked June 2026
Finger Lake
4 mi3 species · 53 records
Last stocked May 2026
Pine Grove Pond
3 mi2 species · 147 records
Last stocked May 2026
Buffalohead Park Pond
4 mi1 species · 43 records
Last stocked June 2025
Black Lake
1 mi3 species · 39 records
Last stocked July 2022
Dry Bridge Slough
3 mi1 species · 79 records
Last stocked April 2021
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 4, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 922 | 8.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 944 | 7.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 5.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 588 | 7.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,640 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,096 | 7.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,011 | 6.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 675 | 10.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 933 | 9.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 10.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,056 | 9.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 700 | 11.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 4.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 956 | 9.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 400 | 8.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 17, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,044 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 5.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 305 | 11.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 875 | 11.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 360 | 8.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 750 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 820 | 10.68" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 2,570 | 6.24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 400 | 9.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,152 | 8.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 400 | 7.99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 5.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 180 | 11.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 11.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 824 | 10.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 8.45" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 10, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 318 | 12.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 12.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.72" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 10.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 9.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 9.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 16, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 650 | 9.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 952 | 6.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 10.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 748 | 10.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,076 | 6.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 800 | 8.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 10.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 120 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Shady Lane Pond last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Shady Lane Pond was last stocked June 4, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Shady Lane Pond?
Shady Lane Pond is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Shady Lane Pond stocked?
Shady Lane Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Shady Lane Pond stocked?
Shady Lane Pond has been stocked about 5 times a year — 120 recorded stockings between 2001 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Shady Lane Pond?
About 105,326 fish have been stocked in Shady Lane Pond across 120 recorded events since 2001, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Shady Lane Pond?
Fish stocked in Shady Lane Pond average about 9.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Shady Lane Pond?
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 Shady Lane Pond?
Freshly stocked trout in Shady Lane Pond 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.