Trout Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–1986 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Trout Creek was last stocked December 3, 1986 with Brown Trout. Trout Creek has 136 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–1986, with about 2,683,840 fish stocked over that period.
When Trout Creek is stocked
Trout Creek is typically stocked in summer and fall, most often in September — 33 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Trout 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 Trout 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 Trout Creek was last stocked December 3, 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 Trout 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.
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).
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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 Trout 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.
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 Trout Creek, freshest activity first.
Harpers Lake
6 mi5 species · 505 records
Last stocked June 2026
Big Bear Lake
10 mi1 species · 30 records
Last stocked October 2024
Upsata Lake
11 mi2 species · 61 records
Last stocked September 2024
Big Creek
8 mi6 species · 237 records
Last stocked August 1995
North Fork Blackfoot River
10 mi2 species · 71 records
Last stocked June 1992
Neal Pond
7 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked June 1981
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 3, 1986 | Brown Trout | 26,592 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| December 3, 1986 | Brown Trout | 26,592 | 99" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,800 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,095 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 31, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,095 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,932 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1977 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,932 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 3, 1954 | Rainbow Trout | 1,980 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1954 | Rainbow Trout | 1,980 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1954 | Brown Trout | 14,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 1954 | Brown Trout | 14,000 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 2,540 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 2,540 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 630 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 1953 | Rainbow Trout | 630 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,640 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1952 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,640 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1952 | Brown Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 1952 | Brown Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 1952 | Kokanee | 60,732 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 1952 | Kokanee | 69,408 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 1952 | Kokanee | 60,732 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 1952 | Kokanee | 69,408 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,200 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 1,452 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1951 | Rainbow Trout | 1,452 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,200 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,375 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 15, 1951 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,375 | 0 | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1951 | Brown Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 1951 | Brown Trout | 3,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1951 | Brown Trout | 7,360 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1951 | Brown Trout | 7,360 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,080 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,080 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 1950 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,000 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 1950 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1950 | Brook Trout | 7,840 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1950 | Brook Trout | 7,840 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 1949 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | 2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1949 | Brook Trout | 4,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1949 | Brook Trout | 4,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1949 | Brown Trout | 11,155 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 1949 | Brown Trout | 11,155 | 1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 1948 | Brook Trout | 4,200 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 136 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Trout Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Trout Creek was last stocked December 3, 1986 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Trout Creek?
Trout Creek is stocked with Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Trout Creek stocked?
Trout Creek is typically stocked in summer and fall, most often in September.
How often is Trout Creek stocked?
Trout Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 136 recorded stockings between 1928 and 1986.
How many fish have been stocked in Trout Creek?
About 2,683,840 fish have been stocked in Trout Creek across 136 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Trout Creek?
Fish stocked in Trout Creek average about 5.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Trout 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 Trout Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Trout 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.