Hebgen Lake

Hebgen Lake fishing

Fishing at Hebgen Lake is on a reservoir, stocked with Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling. It is stocked about once a year since 2011, most often in September and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

June 13, 2023

Plants on record

13

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

3.5 in

Elevation

6,531.5 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
West Yellowstone
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.

Sources: water_type , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , photos , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Hebgen Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the last week of September. In 2023 it was June 13, 2023, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

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.

Fish at Hebgen Lake

Fishing Hebgen Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 11 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Grayling.

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 11 plants
Plants
11 of 13
Last stocked
September 28, 2016
Average length
3.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Arctic Grayling 2 plants
Plants
2 of 13
Last stocked
June 13, 2023
Average length
2.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Arctic Grayling guide.

Fishing Hebgen Lake

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.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

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. Additionally, harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins dangerous to humans and wildlife, have occurred periodically.

Fish stocked per year

  • 141,0802011
  • 46,7802012
  • 104,8352013
  • 35,2352014
  • 100,0702015
  • 25,1002016
  • 77,5502022
  • 4,5342023

Stocking history

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
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 36,844 3.64 in report
September 28, 2015 Rainbow Trout 38,408 3.52 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

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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