Tunnel Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1939–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Tunnel Lake was last stocked May 21, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout. Tunnel Lake has 93 stocking records on file, spanning 1939–2026, with about 284,896 fish stocked over that period.
When Tunnel Lake is stocked
Tunnel Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 34 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Tunnel 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 Tunnel 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 Tunnel Lake was last stocked May 21, 2026, 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 Tunnel 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).
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.
Arctic Grayling Profile Tips
A popular dry-fly target in Montana and Utah's high-country waters, prized for its willingness to rise.
Recommended Tackle for Tunnel 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.
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 Tunnel Lake, freshest activity first.
Pishkun Reservoir
7 mi8 species · 289 records
Last stocked May 2026
Swazee Lake
8 mi2 species · 66 records
Last stocked May 2025
Dickens Lake
4 mi1 species · 37 records
Last stocked June 2024
Twin Lakes 1
8 mi3 species · 126 records
Last stocked July 2022
Split Rock Lake
4 mi8 species · 29 records
Last stocked May 2006
Clark Creek
4 mi2 species · 6 records
Last stocked June 1993
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,980 | 4.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 4, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 29, 2022 | Arctic Grayling | 1,069 | 1.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 19, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 3, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.23" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.46" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 4.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,800 | 5.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,800 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 2008 | Arctic Grayling | 400 | 10.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 28, 2008 | Arctic Grayling | 150 | 5.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 300 | 11.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 5.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 9, 2006 | Arctic Grayling | 284 | 11.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 900 | 5.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2004 | Arctic Grayling | 2,100 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2003 | Arctic Grayling | 2,100 | 0.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 1,026 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 2002 | Arctic Grayling | 2,352 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 1,050 | 3.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 2000 | Arctic Grayling | 1,600 | 0.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1998 | Arctic Grayling | 2,200 | 0.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1997 | Arctic Grayling | 2,021 | 0.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 1997 | Arctic Grayling | 620 | 5.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1996 | Arctic Grayling | 2,300 | 0.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 27, 1995 | Arctic Grayling | 2,540 | 0.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1994 | Arctic Grayling | 2,500 | 0.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 334 | 4.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 1,668 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1993 | Arctic Grayling | 2,000 | 0.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 2,200 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 93 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Tunnel Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Tunnel Lake was last stocked May 21, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Tunnel Lake?
Tunnel Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Tunnel Lake stocked?
Tunnel Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Tunnel Lake stocked?
Tunnel Lake is stocked intermittently — 93 recorded stockings between 1939 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Tunnel Lake?
About 284,896 fish have been stocked in Tunnel Lake across 93 recorded events since 1939, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Tunnel Lake?
Fish stocked in Tunnel Lake average about 4.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Tunnel 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 Tunnel Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Tunnel 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.