Fish stocking schedule
Montana fish stocking schedule 2026.
- Stocking Now
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Montana primarily manages its blue-ribbon trout rivers as wild-trout fisheries — stocking is limited to lakes, reservoirs, and a few smaller streams. Hatchery emphasis is on supporting urban-accessible fisheries and remote lakes.
Official source
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Stocking Report
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks publishes the authoritative Montana stocking schedule — Annual updates in Searchable database format. For this week's actual stocking locations, dates, and volumes, view the official report directly.
This page summarizes the Montana stocking program for planning purposes. The agency report is the authoritative source — verify before any trip.
Primary stocked species
In Montana.
Typical stocking pattern by species. Heavy fill marks primary stocking months; moderate fill marks possible stocking. Verify exact dates against the official report.
- Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykissTypical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
- Brown TroutSalmo truttaTypical size: 9–14 inch catchable; trophy fish 18–24 inches
- Brook TroutSalvelinus fontinalisTypical size: 8–11 inch catchable
- Kokanee SalmonOncorhynchus nerkaTypical size: 2–3 inch fingerling
- WalleyeSander vitreusTypical size: 1–2 inch fry; 2–4 inch fingerling
Notable Montana programs
- Wild Trout Management (most rivers)
- Lake Stocking Program
- Kokanee Salmon Reservoirs
State hatchery system
Montana operates 7 state-run fish hatcheries supporting the stocking program.
Weekly stocking alerts for Montana.
Bield Fish reads Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks's stocking reports and alerts you when your saved waters are stocked. Set your county once and you'll know the day fish hit your home river.
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