Last stocked
May 21, 2026
Plants on record
104
Since 2011
Species recorded
2
Average size
7.9 in
Elevation
4,253 ft
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Roberts
- Shore access
- Yes
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- Yes
- Fee required
- Yes
- Facilities
- restrooms, camping, dock, cleaning station
Cooney State Park has three boat ramps with docks and a fish cleaning station at Red Lodge Arm, five campgrounds with 82 campsites, and ADA-accessible facilities. Day use is $8 for nonresident vehicles, camping runs $4 to $34 a night depending on season.
Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , watch_outs
How Cooney Reservoir is stocked
The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of May. In 2026 it was March 9, 2026, earlier than usual.
Wild Bill Lake (21 mi), Laurel Pond (26.2 mi), and Emerald Lake (26.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Wild Bill Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Laurel Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout, and Emerald Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.
Fish at Cooney Reservoir
Fishing Cooney Reservoir is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 102 of 104 plants on record, ahead of Cutthroat Trout.
Around the dates Cooney Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 52.1°F in May, 44.5°F in October, 41.1°F in April, 62.6°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout 102 plants
- Plants
- 102 of 104
- Last stocked
- May 21, 2026
- Average length
- 7.9 in
Cutthroat Trout 2 plants
- Plants
- 2 of 104
- Last stocked
- September 26, 2012
- Average length
- 5.5 in
Fishing Cooney Reservoir
Cooney Reservoir at Cooney State Park is a popular fishing destination in south central Montana, featuring excellent walleye and rainbow trout fishing. The park offers lake fishing and ice fishing opportunities, and provides amenities such as three boat ramps with docks and a fish cleaning station at Red Lodge Arm. Visitors can head to Cooney State Park's reservoir to fish, boat, and camp.
Sources: fwp.mt.gov
What to watch for
Cooney State Park is the most popular recreation area serving south central Montana, and it is always a busy place in the summer. Additionally, anglers should help protect Montana's waters, as Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) can be easily spread from one waterbody to another, so it is important to prevent their spread.
Fish stocked per year
- 167,7942011
- 62,7082012
- 59,0352013
- 82,0962014
- 42,0942015
- 56,8572016
- 58,6842017
- 37,7542018
- 36,3182019
- 63,0702020
- 71,9702021
- 26,8842022
- 68,6982023
- 34,6082024
- 66,0842025
- 22,9902026
Stocking history
Showing 15 of 104 plants Showing 104 plants
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,181 | 9 in | report |
| May 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 7,850 | 9 in | report |
| March 9, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 9,959 | 2.4 in | report |
| October 16, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,525 | 9.67 in | report |
| October 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,410 | 11.64 in | report |
| October 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,410 | 11.64 in | report |
| October 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,410 | 11.64 in | report |
| October 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,410 | 11.64 in | report |
| October 13, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,400 | 12 in | report |
| May 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,438 | 9.64 in | report |
| May 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,001 | 9.6 in | report |
| May 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,598 | 9.75 in | report |
| May 19, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 8,192 | 9.85 in | report |
| May 19, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,290 | 9.85 in | report |
| September 4, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 572 | 12.44 in | report |
| September 3, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,170 | 12.44 in | report |
| May 30, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 7,300 | 9.27 in | report |
| May 29, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,266 | 9.08 in | report |
| May 29, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,653 | 9.38 in | report |
| May 28, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 8,493 | 9.34 in | report |
| May 28, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 9,154 | 9.27 in | report |
| October 5, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,370 | 9.09 in | report |
| October 4, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,802 | 8.94 in | report |
| October 4, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,450 | 8.94 in | report |
| May 31, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 7.37 in | report |
| May 31, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,728 | 8.04 in | report |
| May 31, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,851 | 7.37 in | report |
| May 29, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 13,293 | 8.11 in | report |
| May 29, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 14,804 | 7.85 in | report |
| June 2, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 13,728 | 7.35 in | report |
| June 1, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 13,156 | 7.35 in | report |
| October 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 9,414 | 8.4 in | report |
| October 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,790 | 8.35 in | report |
| October 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 11,089 | 8.37 in | report |
| June 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 7,209 | 7.58 in | report |
| June 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 7,209 | 7.55 in | report |
| June 2, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 7,128 | 7.61 in | report |
| June 2, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 7,154 | 7.69 in | report |
| June 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 7,156 | 7.57 in | report |
| June 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 6,821 | 7.7 in | report |
| September 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 10,868 | 8.03 in | report |
| September 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 6,664 | 8.3 in | report |
| June 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,281 | 8.54 in | report |
| June 3, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 7,480 | 8.54 in | report |
| June 2, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 6,960 | 8.99 in | report |
| June 1, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 6,320 | 9.03 in | report |
| May 22, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 849 | 8.57 in | report |
| May 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 7,565 | 8.57 in | report |
| May 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 7,747 | 8.51 in | report |
| May 20, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 6,336 | 8.37 in | report |
| October 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 6,426 | 7.42 in | report |
| October 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 9,498 | 7.25 in | report |
| May 1, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 10,659 | 7.36 in | report |
| May 1, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 9,735 | 7.27 in | report |
| October 22, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 8,588 | 7.62 in | report |
| October 22, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 9,724 | 7.33 in | report |
| September 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,830 | 7.63 in | report |
| June 28, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 9,362 | 7.45 in | report |
| June 28, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 8,250 | 7.69 in | report |
| October 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 9,620 | 8.12 in | report |
| October 16, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 8,736 | 8.43 in | report |
| May 5, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 9,416 | 6.63 in | report |
| May 5, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 10,430 | 6.62 in | report |
| April 11, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 10,909 | 6.22 in | report |
| April 10, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 9,573 | 6.11 in | report |
| September 26, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 7,446 | 8.72 in | report |
| September 26, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 7,755 | 8.68 in | report |
| May 4, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 11,699 | 7.01 in | report |
| May 4, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 9,480 | 7.34 in | report |
| April 25, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 11,789 | 6.75 in | report |
| April 25, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 8,688 | 7.11 in | report |
| May 4, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 10,671 | 7.02 in | report |
| May 4, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 10,931 | 7.11 in | report |
| May 4, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 8,892 | 7.3 in | report |
| May 4, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 11,600 | 7.01 in | report |
| October 17, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 7,364 | 7.8 in | report |
| October 17, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 6,748 | 8.03 in | report |
| October 16, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 6,084 | 8.11 in | report |
| April 30, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 12,282 | 6.66 in | report |
| April 30, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 11,529 | 6.91 in | report |
| April 29, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 8,932 | 7.32 in | report |
| April 29, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 11,400 | 6.78 in | report |
| April 25, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 9,165 | 4.44 in | report |
| April 24, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 8,592 | 4.44 in | report |
| October 15, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 7,030 | 8.15 in | report |
| October 15, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 6,327 | 8.26 in | report |
| October 15, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 5,957 | 8.42 in | report |
| April 25, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 11,159 | 6.97 in | report |
| April 25, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 10,060 | 7.16 in | report |
| April 24, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 8,883 | 7.39 in | report |
| April 23, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 9,619 | 7.32 in | report |
| September 26, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,076 | 5.25 in | report |
| April 26, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 11,131 | 7.14 in | report |
| April 26, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 10,852 | 7.13 in | report |
| April 25, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 11,072 | 7.12 in | report |
| April 25, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 9,577 | 7.35 in | report |
| October 14, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,722 | 5.75 in | report |
| June 6, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 3,182 | 4.73 in | report |
| May 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 8,793 | 7.67 in | report |
| May 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 8,694 | 7.76 in | report |
| May 3, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 9,214 | 7.53 in | report |
| May 3, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 8,798 | 7.62 in | report |
| January 31, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 60,262 | 1.93 in | report |
| January 31, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 52,129 | 1.89 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.