Soup Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1934–1991 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Soup Creek was last stocked August 6, 1991 with Cutthroat Trout. Soup Creek has 52 stocking records on file, spanning 1934–1991, with about 898,730 fish stocked over that period.
When Soup Creek is stocked
Soup Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 15 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Soup 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 Soup 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 Soup Creek was last stocked August 6, 1991, 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 Soup 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 Soup 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Soup Creek, freshest activity first.
Swan Pond
4 mi1 species · 23 records
Last stocked June 2025
Swan Lake
8 mi4 species · 170 records
Last stocked June 2007
Metcalf Lake
6 mi2 species · 18 records
Last stocked September 2002
Hall Creek
6 mi1 species · 28 records
Last stocked August 1995
Groom Creek
6 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked September 1992
Whitney Creek
3 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked August 1991
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 6, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,856 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,144 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,144 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,144 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,856 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 7, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 7, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 1.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 17, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,053 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,053 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,200 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,200 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,974 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,974 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,872 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,872 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,872 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,800 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,800 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 680 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 680 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,700 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,700 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 6,640 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 6,640 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,250 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,250 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 50,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1942 | Cutthroat Trout | 50,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 1941 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,309 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,309 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,539 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1940 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,539 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1939 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,040 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1939 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,040 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1938 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,800 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 1938 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,800 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 37,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1937 | Cutthroat Trout | 37,500 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1936 | Cutthroat Trout | 35,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 52 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Soup Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Soup Creek was last stocked August 6, 1991 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Soup Creek?
Soup Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Soup Creek stocked?
Soup Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Soup Creek stocked?
Soup Creek is stocked intermittently — 52 recorded stockings between 1934 and 1991.
How many fish have been stocked in Soup Creek?
About 898,730 fish have been stocked in Soup Creek across 52 recorded events since 1934, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Soup Creek?
Fish stocked in Soup Creek average about 8.3 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Soup 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 Soup Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Soup 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.