Van Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1938–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Van Lake was last stocked June 10, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Van Lake has 134 stocking records on file, spanning 1938–2026, with about 643,468 fish stocked over that period.
When Van Lake is stocked
Van Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 39 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Van 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 Van 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 Van Lake was last stocked June 10, 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 Van 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.
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.
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 Van 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Van Lake, freshest activity first.
Shay Lake
3 mi3 species · 77 records
Last stocked June 2025
Peck Lake
6 mi3 species · 46 records
Last stocked June 2025
South Woodward Cr Lake 3
5 mi1 species · 13 records
Last stocked July 2022
South Fork Lion Creek
6 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 2009
Metcalf Lake
5 mi2 species · 18 records
Last stocked September 2002
Squeezer Creek Lake
6 mi1 species · 2 records
Last stocked August 1992
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 4,998 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 980 | 8.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 16.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,019 | 8.14" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | 15.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,102 | 7.42" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 3.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,042 | 7.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | 15.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 6,003 | 4.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 6, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | 16.44" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,107 | 7.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | 19.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 3.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,034 | 7.13" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 204 | 17.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,744 | 3.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 900 | 8.67" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,433 | 4.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 476 | 10.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 17.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 8,500 | 3.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 3.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 11.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 11.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 16.78" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 12.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 4.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 2,540 | 4.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,959 | 3.77" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 18.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 11.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 125 | 10.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 5,478 | 3.82" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 88 | 23.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 3.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 10 | 29.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 102 | 12.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 5,500 | 4.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 876 | 4.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,631 | 3.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,214 | 4.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 4, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 15.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 4,762 | 3.73" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| November 5, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 148 | 16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 4,498 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 30, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 144 | 15.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 5,400 | 3.33" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 134 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Van Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Van Lake was last stocked June 10, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Van Lake?
Van Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Van Lake stocked?
Van Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Van Lake stocked?
Van Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 134 recorded stockings between 1938 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Van Lake?
About 643,468 fish have been stocked in Van Lake across 134 recorded events since 1938, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Van Lake?
Fish stocked in Van Lake average about 8.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Van 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 Van Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Van 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.