Swan River Fish Stocking
Montana · 1934–1992 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Swan River was last stocked September 1, 1992 with Cutthroat Trout. Swan River has 299 stocking records on file, spanning 1934–1992, with about 4,952,521 fish stocked over that period.
When Swan River is stocked
Swan River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 112 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Swan River
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 River, 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 River was last stocked September 1, 1992, 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 River:
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 River
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 River, freshest activity first.
Ashley Creek
7 mi3 species · 14 records
Last stocked September 2012
Mcgilvray Lake
6 mi3 species · 43 records
Last stocked June 2006
Elliot Creek
3 mi1 species · 15 records
Last stocked June 1997
Estes Lake
4 mi2 species · 6 records
Last stocked July 1987
Stoner Creek
4 mi3 species · 24 records
Last stocked April 1986
Basham Lake
5 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked May 1968
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,000 | 0.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,000 | 0.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 30,544 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 27, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 30,544 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,530 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,720 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,530 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,720 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,200 | 5.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,024 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,024 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,152 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1990 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,152 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,572 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1989 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,572 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,408 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,408 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,112 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,112 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,120 | 4.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1988 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,120 | 4.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,029 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,029 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,049 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1987 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,049 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 1979 | Kokanee | 100,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 1979 | Kokanee | 100,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1978 | Kokanee | 1,790 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1978 | Kokanee | 1,790 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 1978 | Kokanee | 90,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 1978 | Kokanee | 90,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1977 | Kokanee | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1977 | Kokanee | 40,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1977 | Kokanee | 40,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1977 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1977 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1976 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1976 | Kokanee | 50,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1976 | Kokanee | 38,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1976 | Kokanee | 38,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 100,420 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1968 | Cutthroat Trout | 100,420 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 79,021 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1967 | Cutthroat Trout | 79,021 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 299 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Swan River last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Swan River was last stocked September 1, 1992 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Swan River?
Swan River is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Swan River stocked?
Swan River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Swan River stocked?
Swan River has been stocked about 5 times a year — 299 recorded stockings between 1934 and 1992.
How many fish have been stocked in Swan River?
About 4,952,521 fish have been stocked in Swan River across 299 recorded events since 1934, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Swan River?
Fish stocked in Swan River average about 4.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Swan River?
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 River?
Freshly stocked trout in Swan River 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.