Squaw Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1977 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Squaw Creek was last stocked June 7, 1977 with Rainbow Trout. Squaw Creek has 109 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1977, with about 664,677 fish stocked over that period.
When Squaw Creek is stocked
Squaw Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 48 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Squaw 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 Squaw 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 Squaw Creek was last stocked June 7, 1977, 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 Squaw 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.
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 Squaw 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.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Squaw Creek, freshest activity first.
Chiquita Lake
10 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked July 2023
Margo Lake
10 mi1 species · 15 records
Last stocked July 2022
North Spanish Lake
13 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked July 2022
Green Hollow Reservoir #2
7 mi1 species · 15 records
Last stocked June 2021
Green Hollow Reservoir
8 mi2 species · 4 records
Last stocked July 2020
Trail Lake
10 mi3 species · 9 records
Last stocked July 2019
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 10, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 160 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 160 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 175 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 175 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 172 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 172 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,970 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,970 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,154 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,154 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 4,002 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 4,002 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 3,041 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 3,041 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 2,991 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 3,345 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 3,345 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 3,002 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 3,002 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 6,089 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 6,089 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 3,014 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 3,014 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1961 | Rainbow Trout | 1,059 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 109 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Squaw Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Squaw Creek was last stocked June 7, 1977 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Squaw Creek?
Squaw Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Squaw Creek stocked?
Squaw Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Squaw Creek stocked?
Squaw Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 109 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1977.
How many fish have been stocked in Squaw Creek?
About 664,677 fish have been stocked in Squaw Creek across 109 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Squaw Creek?
Fish stocked in Squaw Creek average about 7.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Squaw 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 Squaw Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Squaw 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.