Skyles Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1931–1984 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Skyles Lake was last stocked April 14, 1984 with Cutthroat Trout. Skyles Lake has 27 stocking records on file, spanning 1931–1984, with about 188,002 fish stocked over that period.
When Skyles Lake is stocked
Skyles Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 8 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Skyles 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 Skyles 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 Skyles Lake was last stocked April 14, 1984, 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 Skyles 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 Skyles 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 Skyles Lake, freshest activity first.
Little Beaver Lake
3 mi3 species · 66 records
Last stocked June 2026
Dollar Lake
3 mi4 species · 79 records
Last stocked June 2026
Murray Lake
3 mi4 species · 102 records
Last stocked June 2026
Woods Lake
3 mi2 species · 64 records
Last stocked May 2026
Mountain Mall Pond
3 mi1 species · 82 records
Last stocked May 2022
Whitefish Lake
4 mi8 species · 261 records
Last stocked April 2021
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 14, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 1983 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,046 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,825 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,080 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,990 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 19 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 26, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 3,142 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 2,063 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,178 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,960 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 416 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1966 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,020 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 1964 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 1963 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,544 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 1962 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,600 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,004 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,794 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,840 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1956 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,100 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1935 | Coho Salmon | 2,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 1935 | Coho Salmon | 15,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1934 | Rainbow Trout | 52,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1933 | Coho Salmon | 14,400 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1932 | Coho Salmon | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1931 | Chinook Salmon | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Skyles Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Skyles Lake was last stocked April 14, 1984 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Skyles Lake?
Skyles Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon, and Chinook Salmon.
What time of year is Skyles Lake stocked?
Skyles Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Skyles Lake stocked?
Skyles Lake is stocked intermittently — 27 recorded stockings between 1931 and 1984.
How many fish have been stocked in Skyles Lake?
About 188,002 fish have been stocked in Skyles Lake across 27 recorded events since 1931, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Skyles Lake?
Fish stocked in Skyles Lake average about 4.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Skyles 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 Skyles Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Skyles 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.