Wadsworth Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1978–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Wadsworth Lake was last stocked May 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Wadsworth Lake has 104 stocking records on file, spanning 1978–2026, with about 275,032 fish stocked over that period.
When Wadsworth Lake is stocked
Wadsworth Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June — 36 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth Lake was last stocked May 26, 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 Wadsworth 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.
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.
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.
Largemouth Bass Profile Tips
The centerpiece of American bass fishing culture, taken on everything from topwater lures to soft plastics and live bait.
Recommended Tackle for Wadsworth 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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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 Wadsworth Lake, freshest activity first.
Giant Springs Fishing Pond
7 mi2 species · 202 records
Last stocked October 2025
Rainbow Dam Reservoir
8 mi4 species · 487 records
Last stocked October 2025
Largent Bend Pond # 2
12 mi3 species · 17 records
Last stocked August 2025
Largent Bend Pond # 3
12 mi3 species · 7 records
Last stocked August 2024
Pow Wow Pond
10 mi3 species · 89 records
Last stocked June 2021
Woodland Estates Pond
7 mi1 species · 25 records
Last stocked May 2012
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.94" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 8.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 2.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2025 | Walleye | 5,740 | 1.07" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 6.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 8.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 13, 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.19" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 6.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 22, 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 5,000 | 1.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 13, 2023 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.97" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | 7.16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 5.75" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 5.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2021 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 6.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 3.79" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2019 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 6.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2017 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.52" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2015 | Walleye | 5,486 | 1.55" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 3,537 | 7.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 5.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,508 | 7.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 3,501 | 11.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 25, 2013 | Brook Trout | 1,238 | 4.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 9, 2013 | Walleye | 4,431 | 1.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 7.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,131 | 10.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 6.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 6, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | 10.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2011 | Walleye | 590 | 1.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 104 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Wadsworth Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Wadsworth Lake was last stocked May 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Wadsworth Lake?
Wadsworth Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Brook Trout, and Yellow Perch.
What time of year is Wadsworth Lake stocked?
Wadsworth Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in June.
How often is Wadsworth Lake stocked?
Wadsworth Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 104 recorded stockings between 1978 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Wadsworth Lake?
About 275,032 fish have been stocked in Wadsworth Lake across 104 recorded events since 1978, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Wadsworth Lake?
Fish stocked in Wadsworth Lake average about 6.4 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Wadsworth 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.