Three Forks Pond Fish Stocking
Montana · 1958–2006 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Three Forks Pond was last stocked June 16, 2006 with Rainbow Trout. Three Forks Pond has 234 stocking records on file, spanning 1958–2006, with about 354,052 fish stocked over that period.
When Three Forks Pond is stocked
Three Forks Pond is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June — 48 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Three Forks Pond
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 Three Forks Pond, 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 Three Forks Pond was last stocked June 16, 2006, 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 Three Forks Pond:
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.
Bass & Panfish Approach
Target visible structure such as docks, weed lines, and fallen trees. Small 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig heads with soft plastic grubs or live worms under a float work well for crappie and bluegill; soft plastic worms or spinnerbaits work well for bass.
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).
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.
Largemouth Bass Profile Tips
The centerpiece of American bass fishing culture, taken on everything from topwater lures to soft plastics and live bait.
Recommended Tackle for Three Forks Pond
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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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 Three Forks Pond, freshest activity first.
Gallatin River
4 mi3 species · 495 records
Last stocked April 2006
Madison River
3 mi5 species · 1310 records
Last stocked April 2006
Jefferson River
3 mi5 species · 286 records
Last stocked September 2003
East Gallatin River
10 mi4 species · 51 records
Last stocked August 1995
Plunket Lake
13 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked February 1993
North Willow Creek
6 mi3 species · 34 records
Last stocked September 1978
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 16, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 20" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 28 | 23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 65 | 23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 24, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 109 | 20" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 43 | 24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 94 | 20" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 120 | 23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 80 | 22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 70 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 74 | 22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 136 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 1999 | Largemouth Bass | 1,500 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 1999 | Largemouth Bass | 500 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2, 1999 | Largemouth Bass | 1,000 | 2.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 7, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 6.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 810 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 13 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 112 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 620 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 12 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 620 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 112 | 12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 60 | 22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 15 | 19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 60 | 22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 40 | 19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 110 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | 2.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 18.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 60 | 23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 234 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Three Forks Pond last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Three Forks Pond was last stocked June 16, 2006 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Three Forks Pond?
Three Forks Pond is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Cutthroat Trout, Coho Salmon, Brook Trout, and Arctic Grayling.
What time of year is Three Forks Pond stocked?
Three Forks Pond is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June.
How often is Three Forks Pond stocked?
Three Forks Pond has been stocked about 5 times a year — 234 recorded stockings between 1958 and 2006.
How many fish have been stocked in Three Forks Pond?
About 354,052 fish have been stocked in Three Forks Pond across 234 recorded events since 1958, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Three Forks Pond?
Fish stocked in Three Forks Pond average about 13.3 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Three Forks Pond?
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 Three Forks Pond?
Freshly stocked trout in Three Forks Pond 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.