Spring Meadow Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1971–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Spring Meadow Lake was last stocked May 11, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Spring Meadow Lake has 120 stocking records on file, spanning 1971–2026, with about 140,379 fish stocked over that period.
When Spring Meadow Lake is stocked
Spring Meadow Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 29 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Spring Meadow 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 Spring Meadow 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 Spring Meadow Lake was last stocked May 11, 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 Spring Meadow 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.
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.
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 Spring Meadow 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 Spring Meadow Lake, freshest activity first.
Willow Creek Reservoir
1 mi5 species · 460 records
Last stocked June 2026
Fairgrounds Pond
1 mi1 species · 105 records
Last stocked May 2024
Lake Helena
9 mi8 species · 28 records
Last stocked April 1999
Conklin Pond
4 mi2 species · 3 records
Last stocked July 1995
Helena Industries Pond
8 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked July 1991
Combo Pond
7 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 1970
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | 7.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 6.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 548 | 7.31" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 504 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | 7.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 9.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.54" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 7.84" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 450 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 6.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 12.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 8.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 8.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 28, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 12.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 22, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 11.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 8.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,506 | 8.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 8, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 10.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,518 | 7.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 31, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 326 | 14.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 1,536 | 7.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 7.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 7.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 3, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 500 | 8.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 12.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 6.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 8.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 6, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 100 | 13.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 6, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 400 | 9.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 120 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Spring Meadow Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Spring Meadow Lake was last stocked May 11, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Spring Meadow Lake?
Spring Meadow Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Spring Meadow Lake stocked?
Spring Meadow Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Spring Meadow Lake stocked?
Spring Meadow Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 120 recorded stockings between 1971 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Spring Meadow Lake?
About 140,379 fish have been stocked in Spring Meadow Lake across 120 recorded events since 1971, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Spring Meadow Lake?
Fish stocked in Spring Meadow Lake average about 8.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Spring Meadow 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 Spring Meadow Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Spring Meadow 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.