Sweet Grass Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1984 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Sweet Grass Creek was last stocked June 13, 1984 with Cutthroat Trout. Sweet Grass Creek has 345 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1984, with about 4,678,600 fish stocked over that period.
When Sweet Grass Creek is stocked
Sweet Grass Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 86 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Sweet Grass 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 Sweet Grass 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 Sweet Grass Creek was last stocked June 13, 1984, 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 Sweet Grass 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.
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 Sweet Grass 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 Sweet Grass Creek, freshest activity first.
Spring Creek Campground South Pond
8 mi2 species · 8 records
Last stocked June 2023
Flanagan Pond
9 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked June 2011
Holman Pond
10 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked October 2007
Deadman's Creek Pond
6 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked October 2007
Lower Deer Creek
0 mi2 species · 21 records
Last stocked August 2003
Esp Spring Creek
2 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked May 2000
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 499 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1984 | Cutthroat Trout | 499 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 1,420 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 1,420 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 810 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 135 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 810 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 16, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 810 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 1974 | Cutthroat Trout | 810 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 856 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 856 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 765 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 530 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 530 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 673 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 673 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 550 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 550 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 612 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 612 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 1,530 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 1,530 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 2,203 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 2,203 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,448 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,448 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 2,448 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 2,856 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 2,856 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 572 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 572 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 572 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 572 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 572 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 572 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 440 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 440 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 620 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 620 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 480 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 480 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 15, 1964 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 345 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Sweet Grass Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Sweet Grass Creek was last stocked June 13, 1984 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Sweet Grass Creek?
Sweet Grass Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Sweet Grass Creek stocked?
Sweet Grass Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Sweet Grass Creek stocked?
Sweet Grass Creek has been stocked about 6 times a year — 345 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1984.
How many fish have been stocked in Sweet Grass Creek?
About 4,678,600 fish have been stocked in Sweet Grass Creek across 345 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Sweet Grass Creek?
Fish stocked in Sweet Grass Creek average about 6.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Sweet Grass 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 Sweet Grass Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Sweet Grass 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.