Whitefish Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1924–2021 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Whitefish Lake was last stocked April 21, 2021 with Cutthroat Trout. Whitefish Lake has 261 stocking records on file, spanning 1924–2021, with about 14,839,338 fish stocked over that period.
When Whitefish Lake is stocked
Whitefish Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June — 75 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Whitefish 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 Whitefish 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 Whitefish Lake was last stocked April 21, 2021, 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 Whitefish 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.
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
Recommended Tackle for Whitefish 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Whitefish Lake, freshest activity first.
Little Beaver Lake
2 mi3 species · 66 records
Last stocked June 2026
Dollar Lake
2 mi4 species · 79 records
Last stocked June 2026
Murray Lake
4 mi4 species · 102 records
Last stocked June 2026
Woods Lake
2 mi2 species · 64 records
Last stocked May 2026
Mountain Mall Pond
5 mi1 species · 82 records
Last stocked May 2022
Spencer Lake
4 mi7 species · 52 records
Last stocked July 2012
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,710 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,588 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,135 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,199 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,732 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,064 | 3.39" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| March 8, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,306 | 2.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2004 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,118 | 2.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2003 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,603 | 3.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,360 | 2.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,969 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,090 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2001 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,090 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,720 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,660 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,643 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,451 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2000 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,060 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,644 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,192 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1999 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,260 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,763 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 24,894 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,707 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1998 | Cutthroat Trout | 55,506 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,680 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1997 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,780 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,560 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,688 | 3.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 1996 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,269 | 3.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,727 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,066 | 3.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,664 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1995 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,498 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,560 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 1994 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,240 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 21, 1993 | Cutthroat Trout | 39,248 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 1992 | Kokanee | 6,120 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,258 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1992 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,755 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1992 | Kokanee | 4,830 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 16, 1992 | Kokanee | 6,030 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 1992 | Kokanee | 7,073 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,640 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 26, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,808 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 24,888 | 4.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 3, 1991 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,460 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 56 | 36" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 813 | 24" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 261 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Whitefish Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Whitefish Lake was last stocked April 21, 2021 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Trout (unspecified), Brook Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Whitefish Lake stocked?
Whitefish Lake is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in June.
How often is Whitefish Lake stocked?
Whitefish Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 261 recorded stockings between 1924 and 2021.
How many fish have been stocked in Whitefish Lake?
About 14,839,338 fish have been stocked in Whitefish Lake across 261 recorded events since 1924, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Whitefish Lake?
Fish stocked in Whitefish Lake average about 4.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Whitefish 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 Whitefish Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Whitefish 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.