Tally Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1925–1986 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Tally Lake was last stocked October 21, 1986 with Lake Trout. Tally Lake has 78 stocking records on file, spanning 1925–1986, with about 3,523,616 fish stocked over that period.
When Tally Lake is stocked
Tally Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 27 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Tally 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 Tally 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 Tally Lake was last stocked October 21, 1986, 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 Tally 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).
Lake Trout Profile Tips
Typically targeted by deep trolling or jigging; older individuals can be true trophies given the species' slow growth and long lifespan.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Tally 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 Tally Lake, freshest activity first.
Little Beaver Lake
7 mi3 species · 66 records
Last stocked June 2026
Murray Lake
5 mi4 species · 102 records
Last stocked June 2026
Dollar Lake
7 mi4 species · 79 records
Last stocked June 2026
Smith Lake
7 mi6 species · 68 records
Last stocked May 2026
Woods Lake
7 mi2 species · 64 records
Last stocked May 2026
Spencer Lake
6 mi7 species · 52 records
Last stocked July 2012
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 21, 1986 | Lake Trout | 2,664 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 1985 | Lake Trout | 17,359 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1985 | Cutthroat Trout | 50,270 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1982 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,371 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 1980 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,524 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,790 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 19, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,474 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 1976 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,540 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1975 | Cutthroat Trout | 30,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 1970 | Kokanee | 198,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1969 | Kokanee | 207,537 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 1968 | Kokanee | 203,472 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1967 | Kokanee | 222,144 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 20,800 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 1961 | Cutthroat Trout | 48,510 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1961 | Cutthroat Trout | 78,480 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1960 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,842 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 71,120 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1959 | Cutthroat Trout | 139,988 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 98,880 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1958 | Cutthroat Trout | 41,200 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,800 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,800 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1957 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 30, 1956 | Cutthroat Trout | 86,080 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1956 | Arctic Grayling | 90,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1955 | Arctic Grayling | 100,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1955 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,618 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 6, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,992 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,880 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1954 | Arctic Grayling | 200,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,172 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,016 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,820 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,820 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,120 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,120 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 3, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,784 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,376 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 33,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,640 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 1949 | Rainbow Trout | 9,620 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,895 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,648 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 78 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Tally Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Tally Lake was last stocked October 21, 1986 with Lake Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Tally Lake?
Tally Lake is stocked with Lake Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, and Arctic Grayling.
What time of year is Tally Lake stocked?
Tally Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Tally Lake stocked?
Tally Lake has been stocked about 1 times a year — 78 recorded stockings between 1925 and 1986.
How many fish have been stocked in Tally Lake?
About 3,523,616 fish have been stocked in Tally Lake across 78 recorded events since 1925, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Tally Lake?
Fish stocked in Tally Lake average about 4.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Tally 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 Tally Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Tally 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.