Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir Fish Stocking
Montana · 1966–2026 on record
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir was last stocked May 6, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir has 121 stocking records on file, spanning 1966–2026, with about 2,155,409 fish stocked over that period.
When Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is stocked
Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May — 26 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Yellowtail Afterbay 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 Yellowtail Afterbay 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 Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir was last stocked May 6, 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 Yellowtail Afterbay 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.
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.
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 Yellowtail Afterbay 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.
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 Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Bighorn Lake
2 mi9 species · 243 records
Last stocked June 2025
Old Anderson Pond
17 mi1 species · 1 records
Last stocked August 2017
Little Bull Elk Creek
8 mi1 species · 4 records
Last stocked May 2013
Lodge Grass Storage Reservoir
20 mi3 species · 129 records
Last stocked May 2008
Dry Head Creek
11 mi2 species · 12 records
Last stocked July 2003
Ten Mile Pond
11 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked July 1991
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 6,239 | 5.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 6,649 | 4.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,311 | 4.3" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 10,173 | 4.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 12,970 | 4.65" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 14,960 | 4.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,580 | 2.95" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 18,166 | 4.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 20,880 | 4.57" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 23,582 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 23,582 | 4.12" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 952 | 5.4" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 8, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 10,611 | 7.26" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 7, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 12,646 | 6.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 26,432 | 4.05" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 10,410 | 5.06" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 31,552 | 4.18" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 30,566 | 4.41" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 31,025 | 3.89" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 18, 2012 | Walleye | 36,692 | 2.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 2012 | Walleye | 90,792 | 2.37" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 23,021 | 4.15" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 28,638 | 4.32" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 11,647 | 5.92" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 18, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 13,668 | 5.71" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 22,759 | 4.56" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 25,275 | 4.34" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 25,525 | 4.01" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 29, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 5,092 | 8.66" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 29, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 4,149 | 9.03" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 28, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 4,960 | 8.62" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 27, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 5,329 | 8.64" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 5,188 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 8,629 | 7.6" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| September 27, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 6,256 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| October 25, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 16,100 | 5.63" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 18, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 7,125 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 7,751 | 7.7" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 5,973 | 7.8" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 7,068 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 7,104 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 17, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 6,477 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 13, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 7,191 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 7,420 | 7.5" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 11, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 6,630 | 7.9" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 7,907 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 6,765 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 12, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 6,634 | 8.2" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 31, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 6,132 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
| August 30, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 5,941 | 8.1" | Montana fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 121 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir last stocked?
According to Montana fish & wildlife agency, Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir was last stocked May 6, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir?
Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Walleye.
What time of year is Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir stocked?
Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is typically stocked in spring and summer, most often in May.
How often is Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir stocked?
Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir has been stocked about 2 times a year — 121 recorded stockings between 1966 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir?
About 2,155,409 fish have been stocked in Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir across 121 recorded events since 1966, per Montana fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir?
Fish stocked in Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir average about 5.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Yellowtail Afterbay 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 Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Yellowtail Afterbay 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.