Silver Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2012 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Silver Lake was last stocked July 30, 2012 with Cutthroat Trout. Silver Lake has 42 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2012, with about 496,831 fish stocked over that period.
When Silver Lake is stocked
Silver Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 13 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Silver 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 Silver 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 Silver Lake was last stocked July 30, 2012, 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 Silver 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.
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.
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 Silver 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.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Silver Lake, freshest activity first.
Pear Lake
6 mi3 species · 35 records
Last stocked August 2024
Meadow Lakes
6 mi2 species · 22 records
Last stocked August 2011
Meadow Lake 3
7 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 2011
Porcupine Lake
5 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 1990
Bohn Lake
4 mi2 species · 8 records
Last stocked August 1990
Thornton Lake - Little
3 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 1984
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 30, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 625 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 34 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 7, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1978 | Lake Trout | 5,004 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 1,080 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 1963 | Brown Trout | 1,500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 656 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1952 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 28,560 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1948 | Coho Salmon | 4,080 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 25,440 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1947 | Rainbow Trout | 25,440 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1941 | Brook Trout | 12,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 1941 | Coho Salmon | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1940 | Brook Trout | 13,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1940 | Coho Salmon | 4,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1939 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1939 | Brook Trout | 30,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 1939 | Salmon | 35,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 1939 | Salmon | 35,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 1939 | Salmon | 50,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1938 | Brook Trout | 7,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1938 | Coho Salmon | 4,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1937 | Brook Trout | 20,400 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 1936 | Brook Trout | 15,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 1934 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,600 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 1933 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,720 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1933 | Rainbow Trout | 25,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1933 | Coho Salmon | 1,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1933 | Coho Salmon | 17,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 22, 1932 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1932 | Coho Salmon | 7,066 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 1931 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,560 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1928 | Chinook Salmon | 24,400 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Silver Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Silver Lake was last stocked July 30, 2012 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Silver Lake?
Silver Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Coho Salmon, Brook Trout, Salmon, and Chinook Salmon.
What time of year is Silver Lake stocked?
Silver Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Silver Lake stocked?
Silver Lake is stocked intermittently — 42 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2012.
How many fish have been stocked in Silver Lake?
About 496,831 fish have been stocked in Silver Lake across 42 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Silver Lake?
Fish stocked in Silver Lake average about 9.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Silver 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 Silver Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Silver 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.