Trail Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1954 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Trail Creek was last stocked July 13, 1954 with Cutthroat Trout. Trail Creek has 99 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1954, with about 2,190,294 fish stocked over that period.
When Trail Creek is stocked
Trail Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in September — 30 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Trail 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 Trail 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 Trail Creek was last stocked July 13, 1954, 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 Trail 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 Trail 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Trail Creek, freshest activity first.
AMC Settling Pond #3
11 mi3 species · 90 records
Last stocked June 2026
Skyline Pond
9 mi1 species · 32 records
Last stocked May 2026
Cliff Lake
9 mi4 species · 153 records
Last stocked June 2025
Copper Mountain Park Pond
7 mi1 species · 12 records
Last stocked June 2025
Alpine Lake
10 mi2 species · 39 records
Last stocked August 2023
Opportunity Pond
10 mi1 species · 3 records
Last stocked September 1982
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 13, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,050 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 1954 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,050 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 700 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 24, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 700 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 13, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 1953 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,240 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,400 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,400 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,025 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,025 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,600 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,886 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,886 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 19, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,600 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,160 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1948 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,160 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 1947 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,496 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 1946 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,496 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,800 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,800 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1945 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 1944 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1943 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 99 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Trail Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Trail Creek was last stocked July 13, 1954 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Trail Creek?
Trail Creek is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Trail Creek stocked?
Trail Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in September.
How often is Trail Creek stocked?
Trail Creek has been stocked about 4 times a year — 99 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1954.
How many fish have been stocked in Trail Creek?
About 2,190,294 fish have been stocked in Trail Creek across 99 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Trail Creek?
Fish stocked in Trail Creek average about 5.7 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Trail 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 Trail Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Trail 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.