Sheep Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2008 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Sheep Creek was last stocked September 6, 2008 with Cutthroat Trout. Sheep Creek has 276 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2008, with about 2,095,428 fish stocked over that period.
When Sheep Creek is stocked
Sheep Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 106 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Sheep 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 Sheep 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 Sheep Creek was last stocked September 6, 2008, 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 Sheep 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.
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Sheep 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.
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 Sheep Creek, freshest activity first.
Castle Lake
13 mi3 species · 47 records
Last stocked September 2025
East Fork Reservoir
8 mi4 species · 240 records
Last stocked August 2025
E Fk Spring Creek Reservoir
9 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked June 1969
Stoyanoff Reservoir
13 mi2 species · 7 records
Last stocked May 1967
Tenderfoot Creek
5 mi3 species · 20 records
Last stocked August 1954
Big Butte Creek
13 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked September 1951
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 6, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 200 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 200 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 1.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,500 | 1.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 820 | 2.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 820 | 2.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 29, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 516 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 516 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 513 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 513 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 9.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 9.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 8.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 8.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 513 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 513 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 1,045 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 1,050 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 1,050 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 517 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 517 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 960 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 990 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 990 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 936 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 936 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 408 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 408 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,125 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,125 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,064 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 276 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Sheep Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Sheep Creek was last stocked September 6, 2008 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Sheep Creek?
Sheep Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Sheep Creek stocked?
Sheep Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Sheep Creek stocked?
Sheep Creek has been stocked about 3 times a year — 276 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2008.
How many fish have been stocked in Sheep Creek?
About 2,095,428 fish have been stocked in Sheep Creek across 276 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Sheep Creek?
Fish stocked in Sheep Creek average about 6.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Sheep 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 Sheep Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Sheep 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.