Woods Lake Fish Stocking
Montana · 1953–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Woods Lake was last stocked May 20, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Woods Lake has 64 stocking records on file, spanning 1953–2026, with about 102,084 fish stocked over that period.
When Woods Lake is stocked
Woods Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 30 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Woods 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 Woods 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 Woods Lake was last stocked May 20, 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 Woods 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 Woods 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 Woods Lake, freshest activity first.
Little Beaver Lake
1 mi3 species · 66 records
Last stocked June 2026
Dollar Lake
1 mi4 species · 79 records
Last stocked June 2026
Murray Lake
2 mi4 species · 102 records
Last stocked June 2026
Mountain Mall Pond
6 mi1 species · 82 records
Last stocked May 2022
Whitefish Lake
2 mi8 species · 261 records
Last stocked April 2021
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 549 | 8.61" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 349 | 10.47" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 165 | 7.69" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 521 | 7.83" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 614 | 7.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | 8.88" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 3, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 424 | 12.74" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 550 | 10.48" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.51" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 487 | 11.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 514 | 10.53" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | 9.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 471 | 10.86" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 14.81" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 11.35" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 513 | 10" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 528 | 11.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 11.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 270 | 8.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 249 | 7.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 522 | 10.91" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 503 | 11.04" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 510 | 10.43" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 503 | 10.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 492 | 10.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 519 | 10.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 501 | 11.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 190 | 11.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 11.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 1,024 | 2.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 29, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 377 | 7.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 1,007 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 110 | 14.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 25.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 1,023 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 10 | 27.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 137 | 15.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 505 | 4.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 18, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 65 | 25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 1,008 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1981 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 1979 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,046 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 1978 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,825 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 64 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Woods Lake last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Woods Lake was last stocked May 20, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Woods Lake?
Woods Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Woods Lake stocked?
Woods Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Woods Lake stocked?
Woods Lake is stocked intermittently — 64 recorded stockings between 1953 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Woods Lake?
About 102,084 fish have been stocked in Woods Lake across 64 recorded events since 1953, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Woods Lake?
Fish stocked in Woods Lake average about 8.8 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Woods 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 Woods Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Woods 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.