St. Mary Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1952–2004 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, St. Mary Lake was last stocked June 8, 2004 with Cutthroat Trout. St. Mary Lake has 51 stocking records on file, spanning 1952–2004, with about 1,283,446 fish stocked over that period.
When St. Mary Lake is stocked
St. Mary Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 16 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for St. Mary 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 St. Mary 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 St. Mary Lake was last stocked June 8, 2004, 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 St. Mary 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.
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 St. Mary 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.
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 St. Mary Lake, freshest activity first.
Duck Lake
11 mi7 species · 243 records
Last stocked May 2026
Pyramid Creek
22 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 2009
Goose Lake
14 mi3 species · 84 records
Last stocked September 2008
Upper Two Medicine Lake
16 mi3 species · 115 records
Last stocked May 2007
Lower Saint Mary Lake
8 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked May 2006
Flattop Lake
7 mi2 species · 8 records
Last stocked July 2003
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 8, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,423 | 3.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 106,212 | 3.38" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 1, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,679 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 83,210 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,526 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 107,900 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 536 | 15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 29,460 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,955 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,955 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 3, 1988 | Lake Trout | 6,300 | 8.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,783 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,100 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,640 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,640 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,640 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,720 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,720 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1988 | Lake Trout | 25,200 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1988 | Lake Trout | 25,200 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 99,630 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 97,333 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1987 | Lake Trout | 17,922 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1987 | Lake Trout | 14,558 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1987 | Lake Trout | 18,850 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1987 | Lake Trout | 18,850 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,660 | 12.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,430 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 438 | 12.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,675 | 7.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,662 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,229 | 7.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,887 | 13.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 667 | 13.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1979 | Lake Whitefish | 125,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 7,856 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 19,516 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 1973 | Lake Trout | 9,614 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 1973 | Lake Trout | 7,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 27, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 12,789 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 14,599 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 20, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 14,612 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 34,054 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 7,029 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 48,012 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 1963 | Lake Trout | 14,631 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 22,654 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1963 | Rainbow Trout | 21,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1954 | Brook Trout | 2,790 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1952 | Lake Trout | 12,500 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 51 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was St. Mary Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, St. Mary Lake was last stocked June 8, 2004 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in St. Mary Lake?
St. Mary Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is St. Mary Lake stocked?
St. Mary Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is St. Mary Lake stocked?
St. Mary Lake is stocked intermittently — 51 recorded stockings between 1952 and 2004.
How many fish have been stocked in St. Mary Lake?
About 1,283,446 fish have been stocked in St. Mary Lake across 51 recorded events since 1952, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in St. Mary Lake?
Fish stocked in St. Mary Lake average about 5.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish St. Mary 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 St. Mary Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in St. Mary 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.