Swan Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1925–2007 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Swan Lake was last stocked June 6, 2007 with Cutthroat Trout. Swan Lake has 170 stocking records on file, spanning 1925–2007, with about 5,143,924 fish stocked over that period.
When Swan Lake is stocked
Swan Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June — 46 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Swan 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 Swan 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 Swan Lake was last stocked June 6, 2007, 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 Swan 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).
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.
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 Swan 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 Swan Lake, freshest activity first.
Lost Lake
5 mi4 species · 96 records
Last stocked May 2026
Hall Creek
2 mi1 species · 28 records
Last stocked August 1995
Groom Creek
2 mi1 species · 7 records
Last stocked September 1992
Soup Creek
8 mi2 species · 52 records
Last stocked August 1991
Mud Lake
2 mi4 species · 35 records
Last stocked July 1976
South Fork Lost Creek
6 mi2 species · 33 records
Last stocked July 1968
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 6, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 30,115 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,583 | 4.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,000 | 4.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2005 | Kokanee | 78,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 33,614 | 2.93" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2004 | Kokanee | 21,376 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2004 | Kokanee | 78,320 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2003 | Kokanee | 51,240 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 7, 2002 | Kokanee | 105,600 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,520 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,177 | 8.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,805 | 8.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2001 | Kokanee | 100,384 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,240 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,242 | 8.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,964 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,943 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,500 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2000 | Kokanee | 36,720 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2000 | Kokanee | 66,690 | 1.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 31, 2000 | Kokanee | 250 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,477 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,665 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,347 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1999 | Kokanee | 13,417 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1999 | Kokanee | 10,749 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,838 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,770 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 1999 | Kokanee | 52,596 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 1999 | Kokanee | 22,404 | 1.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,528 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,712 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,215 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,809 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,104 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,477 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,776 | 7.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,439 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,024 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 795 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,389 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,027 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,801 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,224 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,621 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,582 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,400 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,164 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,377 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,075 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 170 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Swan Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Swan Lake was last stocked June 6, 2007 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Swan Lake?
Swan Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, and Arctic Grayling.
What time of year is Swan Lake stocked?
Swan Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June.
How often is Swan Lake stocked?
Swan Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 170 recorded stockings between 1925 and 2007.
How many fish have been stocked in Swan Lake?
About 5,143,924 fish have been stocked in Swan Lake across 170 recorded events since 1925, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Swan Lake?
Fish stocked in Swan Lake average about 5.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Swan 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 Swan Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Swan 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.