Rainbow Trout Stocked · 11 plants · last September 28, 2016 Best: dawn, dusk Last stocked September 28, 2016 · avg 3.6 in · 11 plants
Best: dawn, dusk
Rainbow Trout species guideHebgen Lake fishing
Hebgen Lake fishing: not stocked since June 13, 2023. It was stocked with Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling on a reservoir. Also recorded: Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, and Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout.
- Last stocked
- June 13, 2023
- · Arctic Grayling
- Plants on record
- 13
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 2 (+3 also recorded)
- Average size
- 3.5 in
- Elevation
- 6,531.5 ft
Fish at Hebgen Lake
Around the dates Hebgen Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 39.1°F in October, 52.9°F in September, 53°F in June, 62.8°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 11 plants · last September 28, 2016 Best: dawn, dusk 
Arctic Grayling Stocked · 2 plants · last June 13, 2023 Last stocked June 13, 2023 · avg 2.5 in · 2 plants
Arctic Grayling species guide
Brown Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Brown Trout species guide Mountain Whitefish Confirmed present
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Confirmed present Hebgen Lake is known for its self-sustaining fish populations in a diverse aquatic ecosystem. It supports a coldwater fishery, dominated by trout species, including wild rainbow and brown trout, which sustain popular recreational fisheries. Native species such as mountain whitefish and westslope cutthroat trout are also present in the lake. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Hebgen Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Fish stocked in 2011
141,080
Fish stocked in 2012
46,780
Fish stocked in 2013
104,835
Fish stocked in 2014
35,235
Fish stocked in 2015
100,070
Fish stocked in 2016
25,100
Fish stocked in 2022
77,550
Fish stocked in 2023
4,534
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 2023 | Arctic Grayling | 4,534 | 3.9 in | report |
| August 31, 2022 | Arctic Grayling | 77,550 | 1 in | report |
| September 28, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 25,100 | 4.64 in | report |
| September 28, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 38,408 | 3.52 in | report |
| September 28, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 36,844 | 3.64 in | report |
| July 27, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 24,818 | 3.2 in | report |
| September 29, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 35,235 | 3.76 in | report |
| October 7, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 49,285 | 3.57 in | report |
| October 2, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 55,550 | 3.8 in | report |
| October 17, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 46,780 | 4.12 in | report |
| October 5, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 49,107 | 3.27 in | report |
| October 3, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 46,603 | 3.28 in | report |
| October 3, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 45,370 | 3.27 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- West Yellowstone
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping
A Madison River reservoir 11 miles from West Yellowstone with USFS campgrounds at Rainbow Point and Cherry Creek. The 1959 magnitude 7.1-7.5 earthquake here created Quake Lake just downstream.
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.
About Hebgen Lake
Anglers should be aware that the Madison and Grayling arms of Hebgen Lake host extensive beds of aquatic vegetation, including invasive species like curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil, which raise management concerns. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Camping near Hebgen Lake
Campgrounds within 15 miles of Hebgen Lake's mapped point, nearest first: Lonesomehurst Campground (2.2 miles), Rainbow Point Campground (3.8 miles), Bakers Hole Campground (8.4 miles), and Beaver Creek Campground (8.8 miles), each with its own campground page on campgroundsdb.com.
Straight-line distances.
Public land at Hebgen Lake
Hebgen Lake is inside Custer Gallatin National Forest.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Hebgen Lake?
Fishing Hebgen Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 11 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Grayling. Rainbow Trout was last stocked September 28, 2016, averaging 3.6 in. Arctic Grayling was last stocked June 13, 2023, averaging 2.5 in. Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, and Westslope Cutthroat Trout are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Hebgen Lake stocked?
Not stocked since June 13, 2023. No plants recorded in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
How big are the fish stocked at Hebgen Lake?
Stocked fish average 3.5 in. Rainbow Trout average 3.6 in. Arctic Grayling average 2.5 in.
How do you get on Hebgen Lake?
There is a boat ramp. The nearest town is West Yellowstone. Facilities include camping. A Madison River reservoir 11 miles from West Yellowstone with USFS campgrounds at Rainbow Point and Cherry Creek. The 1959 magnitude 7.1-7.5 earthquake here created Quake Lake just downstream.
Which lakes near Hebgen Lake were stocked more recently?
Dailey Lake (40.5 mi), Hyalite Reservoir (51.5 mi), Ruby River Reservoir (53.3 mi), and Bozeman Pond (63.4 mi) were stocked more recently. Dailey Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Ruby River Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Bozeman Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.