Wrangler Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1980–2025 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Wrangler Reservoir was last stocked May 14, 2025 with Rainbow Trout. Wrangler Reservoir has 50 stocking records on file, spanning 1980–2025, with about 54,721 fish stocked over that period.
When Wrangler Reservoir is stocked
Wrangler Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 29 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Wrangler Reservoir
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 Wrangler Reservoir, 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 Wrangler Reservoir was last stocked May 14, 2025, 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 Wrangler Reservoir:
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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
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.
Channel Catfish Profile Tips
Popular with bait anglers using cut bait, worms, or prepared 'stink bait'; often stocked specifically for summer evening fishing.
Recommended Tackle for Wrangler Reservoir
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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Wrangler Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Hump Lake
4 mi3 species · 22 records
Last stocked September 2025
PR 035
7 mi2 species · 2 records
Last stocked September 2025
Dry Lake Reservoir
8 mi2 species · 10 records
Last stocked September 2025
Paleface Reservoir
10 mi4 species · 18 records
Last stocked September 2025
Taint Reservoir
10 mi3 species · 47 records
Last stocked September 2025
Ulrich Reservoir
8 mi2 species · 9 records
Last stocked August 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 3.17" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 2.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 2.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 3.25" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 3.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 3.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 2.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 1.87" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 13, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 2.02" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 2.09" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 1.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 2.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 2.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 3.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | 3.59" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 1,497 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 1,559 | 3.28" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 1,510 | 3.21" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 409 | 3.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 1,241 | 3.08" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2005 | Channel Catfish | 500 | 6.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 1,518 | 2.85" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2004 | Channel Catfish | 1,000 | 4.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | 4.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 1,595 | 2.58" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 1,003 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 1,004 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2001 | Channel Catfish | 500 | 2.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 805 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 1,044 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 1,128 | 3.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 1,024 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 1,062 | 3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 1,062 | 2.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 1,013 | 2.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 1,036 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 998 | 2.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 1,010 | 3.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 999 | 3.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 3.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 1987 | Rainbow Trout | 1,025 | 3.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 1986 | Rainbow Trout | 1,086 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 1,006 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 1,536 | 4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 2,511 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 2,524 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 2,016 | 5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Wrangler Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Wrangler Reservoir was last stocked May 14, 2025 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Wrangler Reservoir?
Wrangler Reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish.
What time of year is Wrangler Reservoir stocked?
Wrangler Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Wrangler Reservoir stocked?
Wrangler Reservoir is stocked intermittently — 50 recorded stockings between 1980 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Wrangler Reservoir?
About 54,721 fish have been stocked in Wrangler Reservoir across 50 recorded events since 1980, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Wrangler Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Wrangler Reservoir average about 3.3 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Wrangler Reservoir?
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 Wrangler Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Wrangler Reservoir 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.