Rainbow Trout Stocked · 9 plants · last April 24, 2019 Best: dawn, dusk Gardiner Reservoir fishing
Gardiner Reservoir fishing: not stocked since April 24, 2019. It was stocked with Rainbow Trout. Also recorded: Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch, and dawn, dusk, and night for Black Crappie.
- Last stocked
- April 24, 2019
- · Rainbow Trout
- Plants on record
- 9
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 1 (+4 also recorded)
- Average size
- 2 in
- Elevation
- 3,644.9 ft
Fish at Gardiner Reservoir
Around the dates Gardiner Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 42.1°F in April, 54.2°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 9 plants · last April 24, 2019 Best: dawn, dusk 
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guideIncluded in its waters are Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Rainbow Trout. Surveys revealed Northern Pike with an average length of 617.41 mm. Additionally, Yellow Perch were recorded with an average weight of 171.43 g. (fwp-gis.mt.gov, accessed October 5, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Gardiner Reservoir is stocked
Talcott Pond (2.5 mi), Craft Pond 2 (10 mi), Pat Labree Reservoir (50.9 mi), Blacks Sawmill Pond (70.5 mi), and Boulware Reservoir (72.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Craft Pond 2 is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Pat Labree Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Blacks Sawmill Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Boulware Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.
Fish stocked in 2011
6,000
Fish stocked in 2012
6,000
Fish stocked in 2013
5,000
Fish stocked in 2014
6,000
Fish stocked in 2015
6,000
Fish stocked in 2016
6,000
Fish stocked in 2017
6,000
Fish stocked in 2018
6,000
Fish stocked in 2019
6,000
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 1.88 in | report |
| May 2, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 2.01 in | report |
| April 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 1.98 in | report |
| April 5, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 1.9 in | report |
| April 7, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 1.8 in | report |
| April 16, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 2 in | report |
| April 11, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | 2 in | report |
| April 19, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 2.15 in | report |
| April 21, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 2 in | report |
Access and facts
A 24-acre, privately owned pond in southern Carter County, FWP Region 7. FWP tracks nearby Doug Gardiner Reservoir, in the same township section, as a separate water.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Gardiner Reservoir?
Fishing Gardiner Reservoir usually means Rainbow Trout. All 9 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 24, 2019, averaging 2 in. Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Gardiner Reservoir stocked?
Not stocked since April 24, 2019.
How big are the fish stocked at Gardiner Reservoir?
Rainbow Trout stocked at Gardiner Reservoir average 2 in.
How do you get on Gardiner Reservoir?
A 24-acre, privately owned pond in southern Carter County, FWP Region 7. FWP tracks nearby Doug Gardiner Reservoir, in the same township section, as a separate water.
Which lakes near Gardiner Reservoir were stocked more recently?
Talcott Pond (2.5 mi), Craft Pond 2 (10 mi), Pat Labree Reservoir (50.9 mi), Blacks Sawmill Pond (70.5 mi), and Boulware Reservoir (72.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Craft Pond 2 is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Pat Labree Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Blacks Sawmill Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Boulware Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.