Willow Creek Fish Stocking
Montana · 1928–2007 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Willow Creek was last stocked August 2, 2007 with Rainbow Trout. Willow Creek has 262 stocking records on file, spanning 1928–2007, with about 2,908,467 fish stocked over that period.
When Willow Creek is stocked
Willow Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 69 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Willow 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 Willow 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 Willow Creek was last stocked August 2, 2007, 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 Willow 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).
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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
Recommended Tackle for Willow 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 Willow Creek, freshest activity first.
Indian Road Pond
8 mi2 species · 90 records
Last stocked May 2026
Weasel Lake
4 mi1 species · 9 records
Last stocked September 2025
Canyon Ferry Lake
4 mi7 species · 2261 records
Last stocked September 2025
Upper Baldy Lake
10 mi1 species · 29 records
Last stocked September 2025
Grace Lake
10 mi1 species · 27 records
Last stocked September 2025
Edith Lake
10 mi3 species · 43 records
Last stocked September 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 35,138 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 26, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 23,061 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 26, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 23,061 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 25, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | — | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| January 25, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | — | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1997 | Brown Trout | 555 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 1997 | Brown Trout | 555 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,388 | 16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 5, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,388 | 16" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 520 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 3, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 520 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 525 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 525 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 570 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 570 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 825 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 20, 1978 | Rainbow Trout | 825 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 810 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 30, 1976 | Rainbow Trout | 810 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 5, 1975 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 23, 1974 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 5, 1973 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | 7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 10, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 26, 1972 | Rainbow Trout | 805 | 9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 390 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 390 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 430 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 14, 1971 | Rainbow Trout | 430 | 8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 807 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 29, 1970 | Rainbow Trout | 807 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 1969 | Rainbow Trout | 252 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,064 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 1,064 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 10, 1968 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1967 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 1,056 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 1966 | Rainbow Trout | 1,056 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2, 1965 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 11" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 1962 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 262 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Willow Creek last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Willow Creek was last stocked August 2, 2007 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Willow Creek?
Willow Creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Kokanee.
What time of year is Willow Creek stocked?
Willow Creek is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Willow Creek stocked?
Willow Creek has been stocked about 3 times a year — 262 recorded stockings between 1928 and 2007.
How many fish have been stocked in Willow Creek?
About 2,908,467 fish have been stocked in Willow Creek across 262 recorded events since 1928, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Willow Creek?
Fish stocked in Willow Creek average about 4.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Willow 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 Willow Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Willow 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.