Spar Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1933–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Spar Lake was last stocked June 23, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Spar Lake has 135 stocking records on file, spanning 1933–2026, with about 3,958,717 fish stocked over that period.
When Spar Lake is stocked
Spar Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 47 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Spar 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 Spar 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 Spar Lake was last stocked June 23, 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 Spar 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).
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.
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
Recommended Tackle for Spar 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 Spar Lake, freshest activity first.
Grouse Lake
6 mi2 species · 43 records
Last stocked May 2025
Little Spar Lake
5 mi1 species · 17 records
Last stocked August 2024
Snowshoe Lake
11 mi1 species · 8 records
Last stocked August 2024
Lower Sky Lake
11 mi2 species · 14 records
Last stocked August 2021
North Fork Keeler Creek
6 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked September 1977
Noggle Creek
5 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked August 1975
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,999 | 3.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 3.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2024 | Kokanee | 25,000 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,100 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,654 | 7.72" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2023 | Kokanee | 10,062 | 2.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2022 | Kokanee | 45,089 | 2.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,013 | 8.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,200 | 7.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2021 | Kokanee | 25,000 | 2.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 991 | 7.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | 7.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,101 | 7.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | 7.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2020 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2019 | Kokanee | 50,727 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,001 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 2,200 | 7.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,317 | 7.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 2,201 | 7.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2016 | Kokanee | 50,115 | 2.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2015 | Kokanee | 55,650 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 678 | 7.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,356 | 7.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 534 | 4.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,508 | 4.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 5,112 | 3.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,096 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2013 | Kokanee | 45,015 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 5,505 | 3.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2012 | Kokanee | 55,938 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,508 | 1.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 2011 | Kokanee | 30,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,511 | 3.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 5,498 | 3.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,771 | 5.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2010 | Kokanee | 36,900 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 25, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 5,480 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,075 | 3.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2009 | Kokanee | 43,680 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 5,700 | 3.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 825 | 10.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 10,030 | 3.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 11,674 | 3.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 10,868 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 2,985 | 2.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 665 | 2.11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 786 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 2,448 | 2.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 3,795 | 2.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 135 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Spar Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Spar Lake was last stocked June 23, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Spar Lake?
Spar Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Brook Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Spar Lake stocked?
Spar Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Spar Lake stocked?
Spar Lake has been stocked about 1 times a year — 135 recorded stockings between 1933 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Spar Lake?
About 3,958,717 fish have been stocked in Spar Lake across 135 recorded events since 1933, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Spar Lake?
Fish stocked in Spar Lake average about 3.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Spar 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 Spar Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Spar 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.