Deadmans Basin Reservoir fishing

Deadmans Basin Reservoir fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout, and Tiger Muskie on a reservoir. Also recorded: Burbot, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Brook Trout, Lake Whitefish, Mountain Whitefish, and 3 more. It is stocked about 5.4 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Smallmouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Brook Trout, and dusk and night for Burbot and Channel Catfish.

Deadmans Basin Reservoir
Photo: Roger Peterson, US Forest Service Northern Region, CC BY 2.0
Last stocked
May 26, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
86
Since 2011
Species stocked
4 (+9 also recorded)
Average size
3.6 in
Elevation
3,907.2 ft

Fish at Deadmans Basin Reservoir

4 stocked · 9 confirmed present

Around the dates Deadmans Basin Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 53°F in May, 63.2°F in June, 41.6°F in April, 71.7°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 61 plants · last May 26, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked May 26, 2026 · avg 3.6 in · 61 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 17 plants · last April 29, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 29, 2026 · avg 2.9 in · 17 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Kokanee Salmon species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 4 plants · last May 16, 2017 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 16, 2017 · avg 3.8 in · 4 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Tiger Muskie Stocked · 4 plants · last October 7, 2022

Last stocked October 7, 2022 · avg 6.5 in · 4 plants

Tiger Muskie species guide

How Deadmans Basin Reservoir is stocked

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Chief Joseph Pond (20.9 mi), Brewington Pond South (24.3 mi), Martinsdale Reservoir (41.5 mi), and Hansen Reservoir (45.1 mi) were stocked more recently. Chief Joseph Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brewington Pond South is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Martinsdale Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, and Hansen Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Fish stocked in 2011

317,584

Fish stocked in 2012

351,973

Fish stocked in 2013

377,688

Fish stocked in 2014

325,564

Fish stocked in 2015

309,401

Fish stocked in 2016

322,854

Fish stocked in 2017

281,050

Fish stocked in 2018

246,416

Fish stocked in 2019

262,832

Fish stocked in 2020

276,582

Fish stocked in 2021

257,827

Fish stocked in 2022

264,400

Fish stocked in 2023

179,327

Fish stocked in 2024

194,987

Fish stocked in 2025

242,616

Fish stocked in 2026

152,164

Stocking history

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 26, 2026Rainbow Trout86,6183.1 inreport
April 29, 2026Kokanee Salmon65,5463.16 inreport
November 26, 2025Rainbow Trout33,3632.65 inreport
May 27, 2025Rainbow Trout84,1923.44 inreport
April 28, 2025Kokanee Salmon111,9543.19 inreport
April 15, 2025Rainbow Trout13,1073.6 inreport
July 8, 2024Kokanee Salmon25,2484.45 inreport
May 24, 2024Rainbow Trout39,7442.39 inreport
May 24, 2024Rainbow Trout26,4962.39 inreport
April 24, 2024Kokanee Salmon103,4993.04 inreport
July 18, 2023Rainbow Trout1,8839 inreport
May 22, 2023Rainbow Trout127,5002.63 inreport
May 12, 2023Kokanee Salmon49,9443.42 inreport
October 7, 2022Tiger Muskie1,0008.6 inreport
May 23, 2022Rainbow Trout163,0162.83 inreport
May 9, 2022Kokanee Salmon100,3843.42 inreport
June 15, 2021Rainbow Trout60,1153.28 inreport
June 1, 2021Rainbow Trout101,8712.95 inreport
April 29, 2021Kokanee Salmon64,2002.9 inreport
April 20, 2021Rainbow Trout31,6412.14 inreport
June 19, 2020Rainbow Trout27,2693.47 inreport
June 8, 2020Tiger Muskie1,5649.86 inreport
June 2, 2020Rainbow Trout87,5263.05 inreport
May 20, 2020Kokanee Salmon100,0142.1 inreport
May 18, 2020Rainbow Trout60,2092.81 inreport
June 17, 2019Rainbow Trout52,8883.36 inreport
June 14, 2019Rainbow Trout51,1724.25 inreport
June 13, 2019Tiger Muskie1,5003.71 inreport
June 13, 2019Rainbow Trout51,9364.25 inreport
May 20, 2019Kokanee Salmon105,3362.5 inreport
June 20, 2018Rainbow Trout57,7263.51 inreport
June 14, 2018Kokanee Salmon81,6642.67 inreport
June 11, 2018Rainbow Trout52,5003.98 inreport
June 10, 2018Rainbow Trout54,5263.95 inreport
June 15, 2017Rainbow Trout50,2692.78 inreport
May 18, 2017Rainbow Trout44,2374.1 inreport
May 16, 2017Rainbow Trout20,2564.16 inreport
May 16, 2017Rainbow Trout11,0524.13 inreport
May 16, 2017Brown Trout19,9763.9 inreport
May 5, 2017Kokanee Salmon85,1082.07 inreport
May 3, 2017Rainbow Trout50,1523.88 inreport
June 13, 2016Rainbow Trout52,7542.82 inreport
May 12, 2016Rainbow Trout53,5153.93 inreport
May 12, 2016Rainbow Trout40,0234.03 inreport
May 12, 2016Rainbow Trout18,5303.97 inreport
May 12, 2016Rainbow Trout37,9874.03 inreport
May 12, 2016Brown Trout20,0373.71 inreport
May 5, 2016Kokanee Salmon100,0082.1 inreport
August 10, 2015Tiger Muskie3,0004 inreport
June 10, 2015Rainbow Trout54,9942.75 inreport
May 15, 2015Rainbow Trout44,7183.96 inreport
May 15, 2015Rainbow Trout46,5453.97 inreport
May 14, 2015Rainbow Trout43,7463.97 inreport
May 14, 2015Rainbow Trout15,1563.98 inreport
May 13, 2015Kokanee Salmon101,2422.15 inreport
June 10, 2014Rainbow Trout55,1342.47 inreport
May 21, 2014Rainbow Trout51,1933.97 inreport
May 12, 2014Kokanee Salmon100,0462.68 inreport
May 12, 2014Brown Trout19,9463.65 inreport
May 9, 2014Rainbow Trout16,4824.93 inreport
May 9, 2014Rainbow Trout32,5403.83 inreport
May 9, 2014Rainbow Trout50,2233.79 inreport
June 11, 2013Rainbow Trout50,2042.71 inreport
June 11, 2013Brown Trout11,5284.03 inreport
May 24, 2013Rainbow Trout44,9743.98 inreport
May 20, 2013Rainbow Trout52,9954.04 inreport
May 20, 2013Rainbow Trout51,7873.98 inreport
May 13, 2013Kokanee Salmon100,2662.75 inreport
May 9, 2013Rainbow Trout37,7804.04 inreport
April 16, 2013Rainbow Trout28,1542.37 inreport
June 28, 2012Rainbow Trout15,7313.87 inreport
June 15, 2012Rainbow Trout15,0323.75 inreport
June 8, 2012Rainbow Trout62,1982.48 inreport
May 9, 2012Rainbow Trout64,6803.3 inreport
May 9, 2012Rainbow Trout42,2303.6 inreport
May 9, 2012Rainbow Trout13.6 inreport
May 8, 2012Rainbow Trout52,0963.5 inreport
May 7, 2012Kokanee Salmon100,0052.65 inreport
August 17, 2011Rainbow Trout7,2574.48 inreport
June 13, 2011Rainbow Trout57,8112.26 inreport
May 19, 2011Rainbow Trout15,1434.86 inreport
May 17, 2011Rainbow Trout15,0003.5 inreport
May 16, 2011Rainbow Trout50,0003.5 inreport
May 16, 2011Rainbow Trout50,0003.5 inreport
May 11, 2011Kokanee Salmon100,2593.26 inreport
April 18, 2011Rainbow Trout22,1141.86 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Ryegate
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping, restrooms

FWP's Deadman's Basin Fishing Access Site sits on US 12, 20 miles east of Harlowton or 9 miles west of Ryegate, with a concrete boat ramp, toilets and primitive campsites. The reservoir is drawn down for irrigation, so how much of the site is usable depends on the water level.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.

About Deadmans Basin Reservoir

Photo of Deadmans Basin Reservoir
Roger Peterson, US Forest Service Northern Region, CC BY 2.0

Nearest lakes

Chief Joseph Pond 20.9 mi last stocked June 5, 2026 Brewington Pond South 24.3 mi last stocked May 27, 2026 Broadview Pond 30.4 mi last stocked May 4, 2026 Martinsdale Reservoir 41.5 mi last stocked May 28, 2026 Hansen Reservoir 45.1 mi last stocked June 18, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Deadmans Basin Reservoir?

Fishing Deadmans Basin Reservoir usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 61 of 86 plants on record, ahead of Kokanee Salmon and 2 more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 26, 2026, averaging 3.6 in. Kokanee Salmon was last stocked April 29, 2026, averaging 2.9 in. Brown Trout was last stocked May 16, 2017, averaging 3.8 in. Tiger Muskie was last stocked October 7, 2022, averaging 6.5 in. Burbot, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Brook Trout, plus 5 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Deadmans Basin Reservoir stocked?

Last stocked May 26, 2026. It is stocked about 5.4 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June.

How big are the fish stocked at Deadmans Basin Reservoir?

Stocked fish average 3.6 in. Rainbow Trout average 3.6 in. Kokanee Salmon average 2.9 in. Brown Trout average 3.8 in. Tiger Muskie average 6.5 in.

How do you get on Deadmans Basin Reservoir?

There is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Ryegate. Facilities include camping and restrooms. FWP's Deadman's Basin Fishing Access Site sits on US 12, 20 miles east of Harlowton or 9 miles west of Ryegate, with a concrete boat ramp, toilets and primitive campsites. The reservoir is drawn down for irrigation, so how much of the site is usable depends on the water level.

Which lakes near Deadmans Basin Reservoir were stocked more recently?

Chief Joseph Pond (20.9 mi), Brewington Pond South (24.3 mi), Martinsdale Reservoir (41.5 mi), and Hansen Reservoir (45.1 mi) were stocked more recently. Chief Joseph Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brewington Pond South is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Martinsdale Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, and Hansen Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (4) +