Tongue River Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1939–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Tongue River Reservoir was last stocked October 20, 2025 with Black Crappie. Tongue River Reservoir has 205 stocking records on file, spanning 1939–2025, with about 60,706,357 fish stocked over that period.
When Tongue River Reservoir is stocked
Tongue River Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 71 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Tongue River Reservoir
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 Tongue River Reservoir, 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 Tongue River Reservoir was last stocked October 20, 2025, 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 Tongue River Reservoir:
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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
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.
Black Crappie Profile Tips
Often caught around structure with small jigs or minnows, especially in spring when crappie move shallow to spawn.
White Crappie Profile Tips
Taken the same way as black crappie — small jigs and minnows fished around brush, docks, and other structure.
Recommended Tackle for Tongue River Reservoir
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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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 Tongue River Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Brown Reservoir
21 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked August 2023
Flying V Ranch Ponds
15 mi1 species · 19 records
Last stocked July 2012
Wolf Mountain Lookout Pond
24 mi2 species · 44 records
Last stocked June 2008
Spear-o Reservoir
23 mi1 species · 11 records
Last stocked April 1999
Tongue R Res Pike Nursery
2 mi1 species · 6 records
Last stocked April 1985
Spring Creek Cdss Pond
6 mi5 species · 5 records
Last stocked September 1983
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 20, 2025 | Black Crappie | 9,929 | 1.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 2025 | Black Crappie | 7,042 | 1.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2025 | Black Crappie | 8,340 | 1.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 2025 | White Crappie | 4,898 | 1.72" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2025 | Walleye | 12,500 | 1.29" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2025 | Walleye | 250,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 2024 | White Crappie | 33,722 | 2.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2024 | White Crappie | 2,412 | 2.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 10, 2024 | Black Crappie | 50,000 | 1.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2024 | Black Crappie | 12,807 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 2024 | Black Crappie | 64,635 | 1.76" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 2024 | Black Crappie | 65,552 | 1.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2024 | White Crappie | 14,616 | 2.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2024 | Black Crappie | 16,272 | 1.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2024 | Walleye | 12,500 | 1.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2024 | Walleye | 250,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2023 | White Crappie | 9,896 | 3.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2023 | Walleye | 50,000 | 2.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2023 | Walleye | 500,000 | 0.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2022 | Walleye | 52,495 | 1.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2022 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 4, 2021 | Walleye | 4,497 | 6.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2021 | Walleye | 907 | 3.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2021 | Walleye | 26,836 | 1.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2021 | Walleye | 16,390 | 1.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2021 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2020 | Walleye | 50,000 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2020 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2019 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2018 | Walleye | 14,775 | 1.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2018 | Walleye | 39,803 | 1.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2018 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2017 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2017 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2016 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2016 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2015 | Walleye | 6,426 | 1.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2015 | Walleye | 43,794 | 1.27" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2015 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2014 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2014 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2013 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2013 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2012 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.49" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2012 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2011 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2011 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2010 | Walleye | 50,000 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2010 | Walleye | 1,000,000 | 0.22" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2009 | Walleye | 52,450 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 205 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Tongue River Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Tongue River Reservoir was last stocked October 20, 2025 with Black Crappie.
What fish species are stocked in Tongue River Reservoir?
Tongue River Reservoir is stocked with Black Crappie, White Crappie, Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Spottail Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Tongue River Reservoir stocked?
Tongue River Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Tongue River Reservoir stocked?
Tongue River Reservoir has been stocked about 2 times a year — 205 recorded stockings between 1939 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Tongue River Reservoir?
About 60,706,357 fish have been stocked in Tongue River Reservoir across 205 recorded events since 1939, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Tongue River Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Tongue River Reservoir average about 1.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Tongue River Reservoir?
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 Tongue River Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Tongue River Reservoir 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.