Ackley Lake fishing

Fishing at Ackley Lake has Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Tiger Muskie on the stocking report. It is stocked about 3.3 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout.

Last stocked

May 20, 2026

Plants on record

52

Since 2011

Species recorded

3

Average size

4.1 in

Elevation

4,314.9 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Hobson
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
camping, dock, restrooms

Ackley Lake State Park near Hobson has two boat launches and a dock on Montana's open plains. 26 rustic first-come, first-served campsites (no electric, water, or dump service) ring the 290-acre park; vault toilets only.

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Ackley Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2026 it was May 20, 2026, about when it usually is.

Brewington Pond South (24.6 mi), Upper Frog Pond (25 mi), Carters Pond (27.4 mi), and Upper Carters Pond (27.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Brewington Pond South is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Upper Frog Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Carters Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Upper Carters Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Fish at Ackley Lake

Fishing Ackley Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 47 of 52 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie and one more.

Around the dates Ackley Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 51°F in May, 60.4°F in June, 69.4°F in July, 58.8°F in September. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 47 plants
Plants
47 of 52
Last stocked
May 20, 2026
Average length
4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Tiger Muskie 3 plants
Plants
3 of 52
Last stocked
July 14, 2023
Average length
5.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Brown Trout 2 plants
Plants
2 of 52
Last stocked
May 14, 2024
Average length
3.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fishing Ackley Lake

Ackley Lake State Park offers stocked trout fishing. Today, the diverse recreation opportunities at this 290-acre park include fishing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and tiger muskie, and it often provides good angling.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , fwp.mt.gov

What to watch for

Anglers should see a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.

Fish stocked per year

  • 40,0022011
  • 40,0182012
  • 40,1622013
  • 45,1902014
  • 61,6362015
  • 45,3882016
  • 62,3252017
  • 49,9722018
  • 60,3452019
  • 56,8462020
  • 62,0842021
  • 44,6122022
  • 25,0392023
  • 33,7342024
  • 25,3632025
  • 24,9702026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 52 plants Showing 52 plants

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 20, 2026 Rainbow Trout 14,670 4.18 in report
May 20, 2026 Rainbow Trout 10,300 2.84 in report
May 13, 2025 Rainbow Trout 10,017 3.01 in report
May 13, 2025 Rainbow Trout 15,346 4.33 in report
November 19, 2024 Rainbow Trout 4,683 2.34 in report
July 10, 2024 Rainbow Trout 1,317 8.09 in report
May 14, 2024 Rainbow Trout 15,036 4.29 in report
May 14, 2024 Rainbow Trout 10,180 2.81 in report
May 14, 2024 Brown Trout 2,518 3.47 in report
July 14, 2023 Tiger Muskie 200 10.86 in report
May 22, 2023 Rainbow Trout 10,000 3.33 in report
May 22, 2023 Rainbow Trout 14,839 4.38 in report
June 30, 2022 Rainbow Trout 298 6.31 in report
May 23, 2022 Rainbow Trout 9,570 3.41 in report
May 19, 2022 Rainbow Trout 34,744 3.77 in report
June 21, 2021 Rainbow Trout 4,976 5.27 in report
May 10, 2021 Rainbow Trout 35,038 4.28 in report
May 10, 2021 Rainbow Trout 22,070 2.85 in report
May 11, 2020 Rainbow Trout 20,036 2.77 in report
May 11, 2020 Rainbow Trout 36,810 3.86 in report
June 26, 2019 Rainbow Trout 1,455 9.51 in report
May 21, 2019 Rainbow Trout 23,869 3.1 in report
May 2, 2019 Rainbow Trout 35,021 3.8 in report
September 20, 2018 Rainbow Trout 11,238 5.47 in report
July 2, 2018 Rainbow Trout 3,700 4.88 in report
May 24, 2018 Rainbow Trout 15,030 3 in report
May 14, 2018 Rainbow Trout 20,004 4.06 in report
September 20, 2017 Rainbow Trout 16,943 5.01 in report
June 6, 2017 Rainbow Trout 15,307 4.44 in report
May 16, 2017 Rainbow Trout 11,735 3.08 in report
May 16, 2017 Rainbow Trout 3,296 3.12 in report
April 27, 2017 Rainbow Trout 15,044 4.82 in report
September 22, 2016 Rainbow Trout 15,359 4.73 in report
May 16, 2016 Rainbow Trout 15,015 3.01 in report
May 2, 2016 Rainbow Trout 15,014 3.8 in report
September 22, 2015 Rainbow Trout 10,096 4.88 in report
July 15, 2015 Tiger Muskie 1,000 4 in report
May 28, 2015 Tiger Muskie 3,000 1.25 in report
May 20, 2015 Rainbow Trout 11,366 4.11 in report
May 20, 2015 Rainbow Trout 3,657 5.58 in report
May 20, 2015 Rainbow Trout 30,014 3.02 in report
May 20, 2015 Brown Trout 2,503 3.85 in report
June 5, 2014 Rainbow Trout 7,914 4.24 in report
June 5, 2014 Rainbow Trout 7,113 4.25 in report
May 27, 2014 Rainbow Trout 30,163 3.06 in report
May 22, 2013 Rainbow Trout 30,064 2.88 in report
May 22, 2013 Rainbow Trout 10,098 4.24 in report
May 23, 2012 Rainbow Trout 30,000 2.8 in report
April 11, 2012 Rainbow Trout 10,018 3.22 in report
June 3, 2011 Rainbow Trout 17,574 2.8 in report
June 3, 2011 Rainbow Trout 12,426 2.9 in report
May 9, 2011 Rainbow Trout 10,002 4.06 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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