Lake Frances fishing

Lake Frances fishing is stocked with Walleye on a reservoir. Also recorded: Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Spottail Shiner, and 1 more. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2012, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Brook Trout, and dusk and night for Burbot.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
August 4, 2026
· Walleye
Plants on record
17
Since 2012
Species stocked
1 (+7 also recorded)
Average size
1.7 in
Elevation
3,810.8 ft

Fish at Lake Frances

1 stocked · 7 confirmed present

Around the dates Lake Frances is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 60.6°F in June, 69.2°F in July, 67.4°F in August. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye Stocked · 17 plants · last August 4, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked August 4, 2026 · avg 1.7 in · 17 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide

Lake Frances is a lake located southwest of Valier, Montana. It is a common destination for fisherman and water recreationists. The lake has Northern Pike, Walleye, and Perch as the major game fish. Additionally, the lake is a hot spot for many ice fisherman. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How Lake Frances is stocked

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

No plants recorded in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

Fish stocked in 2012

41,427

Fish stocked in 2014

50,161

Fish stocked in 2016

53,722

Fish stocked in 2018

29,763

Fish stocked in 2020

52,453

Fish stocked in 2022

50,640

Fish stocked in 2023

50,415

Fish stocked in 2024

61,274

Fish stocked in 2025

50,000

Fish stocked in 2026

87,800

Stocking history

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
August 4, 2026Walleye10,2002.24 inreport
June 24, 2026Walleye4,6001.56 inreport
June 24, 2026Walleye73,0001.41 inreport
June 17, 2025Walleye50,0001.07 inreport
July 30, 2024Walleye10,2742.55 inreport
June 19, 2024Walleye51,0001.19 inreport
July 11, 2023Walleye11,2472 inreport
June 22, 2023Walleye19,5841.76 inreport
June 22, 2023Walleye19,5841.76 inreport
June 22, 2022Walleye50,6401.25 inreport
June 16, 2020Walleye52,4531.62 inreport
June 27, 2018Walleye9,9212.05 inreport
June 27, 2018Walleye9,9212.05 inreport
June 27, 2018Walleye9,9212.05 inreport
June 20, 2016Walleye53,7221.31 inreport
June 24, 2014Walleye50,1611.54 inreport
July 5, 2012Walleye41,4272.02 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Valier
Facilities
camping, restrooms, dock, cleaning station

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

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

Nearest lakes

Bynum Reservoir 25 mi last stocked June 5, 2024 Mission Lake 25 mi last stocked May 12, 2026 Ostle Reservoir 27.7 mi last stocked September 11, 2026 Eureka Reservoir 28.4 mi last stocked May 27, 2021 Kipp Lake 32.6 mi last stocked May 12, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Lake Frances?

Fishing Lake Frances usually means Walleye. All 17 plants on record are Walleye. Walleye was last stocked August 4, 2026, averaging 1.7 in. Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Burbot, and Rainbow Trout, plus 3 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Lake Frances stocked?

Last stocked August 4, 2026. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2012, most often in June and July. No plants recorded in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

How big are the fish stocked at Lake Frances?

Walleye stocked at Lake Frances average 1.7 in.

How do you get on Lake Frances?

The nearest town is Valier. Facilities include camping, restrooms, dock, and cleaning station.

Which lakes near Lake Frances were stocked more recently?

Ostle Reservoir (27.7 mi) was stocked more recently.

Sources (8) +