Smokey Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1981–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Smokey Lake was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout. Smokey Lake has 40 stocking records on file, spanning 1981–2026, with about 82,305 fish stocked over that period.
When Smokey Lake is stocked
Smokey Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 12 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Smokey 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 Smokey 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 Smokey Lake was last stocked May 8, 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 Smokey 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.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
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 Smokey 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Smokey Lake, freshest activity first.
Dickey Lake
3 mi7 species · 174 records
Last stocked May 2026
Hole In The Wall Lake
2 mi2 species · 6 records
Last stocked May 2025
Louis Lake
4 mi2 species · 32 records
Last stocked August 2024
Sunday Lake 1
1 mi2 species · 18 records
Last stocked August 2024
Upper Lagoni Lake
2 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked August 2024
Burnt Lake
1 mi2 species · 22 records
Last stocked July 2023
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 3.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Brook Trout | 2,790 | 3.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,500 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,540 | 1.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2022 | Brook Trout | 2,993 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2022 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 1.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2020 | Brook Trout | 3,120 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 32 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 27, 2019 | Brook Trout | 2,856 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2018 | Brook Trout | 2,990 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,990 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2017 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2016 | Brook Trout | 3,040 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2015 | Brook Trout | 3,329 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 76 | 1.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,575 | 1.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,361 | 2.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,208 | 4.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 216 | 9.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,425 | 4.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 362 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 647 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,040 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,080 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,012 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 995 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,014 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,010 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 577 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,114 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,284 | 8.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1989 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1988 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1987 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1987 | Brook Trout | 3,143 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1986 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1985 | Brook Trout | 3,009 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1985 | Brook Trout | 3,009 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1981 | Brook Trout | 3,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Smokey Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Smokey Lake was last stocked May 8, 2026 with Brook Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Smokey Lake?
Smokey Lake is stocked with Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Smokey Lake stocked?
Smokey Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Smokey Lake stocked?
Smokey Lake is stocked intermittently — 40 recorded stockings between 1981 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Smokey Lake?
About 82,305 fish have been stocked in Smokey Lake across 40 recorded events since 1981, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Smokey Lake?
Fish stocked in Smokey Lake average about 3.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Smokey 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 Smokey Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Smokey 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.