St Marys Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1948–2008 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, St Marys Lake was last stocked May 27, 2008 with Cutthroat Trout. St Marys Lake has 48 stocking records on file, spanning 1948–2008, with about 490,238 fish stocked over that period.
When St Marys Lake is stocked
St Marys Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 17 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for St Marys 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 Marys 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 Marys Lake was last stocked May 27, 2008, 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 Marys 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 Marys 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 St Marys Lake, freshest activity first.
Mission Reservoir
6 mi2 species · 94 records
Last stocked June 2008
Lost Sheep Lake
6 mi1 species · 4 records
Last stocked September 1978
White Horse Lake
7 mi2 species · 6 records
Last stocked September 1973
Middle Fork Jocko River
4 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked September 1969
South Fork Jocko River
5 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked September 1969
Picture Lake
6 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 1968
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,857 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,793 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,909 | 2.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,303 | 3.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2002 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,593 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,001 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,055 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 2,002 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 40 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 29, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,966 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,273 | 5.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,727 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 6,140 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 13,860 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 6.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 9,500 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 6,558 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 6,558 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 6,874 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 11,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 10,019 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 10,083 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 1977 | Rainbow Trout | 10,020 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 9,995 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 4,995 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 5,049 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 5,021 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 12,900 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 3,580 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 8,420 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 5,850 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1970 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,696 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,138 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1969 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,503 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1954 | Rainbow Trout | 1,600 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1951 | Lake Trout | 16,400 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 1948 | Rainbow Trout | 25,200 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was St Marys Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, St Marys Lake was last stocked May 27, 2008 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in St Marys Lake?
St Marys Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Lake Trout.
What time of year is St Marys Lake stocked?
St Marys Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is St Marys Lake stocked?
St Marys Lake is stocked intermittently — 48 recorded stockings between 1948 and 2008.
How many fish have been stocked in St Marys Lake?
About 490,238 fish have been stocked in St Marys Lake across 48 recorded events since 1948, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in St Marys Lake?
Fish stocked in St Marys Lake average about 6.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish St Marys 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 Marys Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in St Marys 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.