Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 12 plants · last April 24, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk Lower Thompson Lake fishing
Lower Thompson Lake fishing has Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Largemouth Bass on the stocking report. Also recorded: Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Trout, and 2 more. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Largemouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Brown Trout, and dusk for Pumpkinseed.
- Last stocked
- June 23, 2026
- · Rainbow Trout
- Plants on record
- 25
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 3 (+8 also recorded)
- Average size
- 2.9 in
- Elevation
- 3,334.4 ft
Fish at Lower Thompson Lake
Around the dates Lower Thompson Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 60.3°F in June, 52.6°F in May, 41.8°F in April, 69.9°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 12 plants · last April 24, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk 
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 11 plants · last June 23, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk 
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 2 plants · last July 25, 2012 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
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide
Brown Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Brown Trout species guide
Brook Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Brook Trout species guide
Lake Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn Best: dawn
Lake Trout species guide
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Confirmed present Mountain Whitefish Confirmed present
How Lower Thompson Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2018 and 2025.
Fish stocked in 2011
135,928
Fish stocked in 2012
126,000
Fish stocked in 2013
93,979
Fish stocked in 2014
18,000
Fish stocked in 2015
110,595
Fish stocked in 2016
50,195
Fish stocked in 2017
69,581
Fish stocked in 2019
50,435
Fish stocked in 2020
73,556
Fish stocked in 2021
37,620
Fish stocked in 2022
50,059
Fish stocked in 2023
44,326
Fish stocked in 2024
39,614
Fish stocked in 2026
19,396
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 19,396 | 3.22 in | report |
| April 24, 2024 | Kokanee Salmon | 39,614 | 2.35 in | report |
| June 8, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 24,326 | 2.74 in | report |
| April 27, 2023 | Kokanee Salmon | 20,000 | 2.71 in | report |
| April 27, 2022 | Kokanee Salmon | 50,059 | 2 in | report |
| April 26, 2021 | Kokanee Salmon | 37,620 | 3 in | report |
| May 5, 2020 | Kokanee Salmon | 50,820 | 2.5 in | report |
| April 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 22,736 | 3.53 in | report |
| May 8, 2019 | Kokanee Salmon | 50,435 | 2 in | report |
| July 14, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 3.91 in | report |
| May 24, 2017 | Kokanee Salmon | 49,581 | 2.27 in | report |
| May 10, 2016 | Kokanee Salmon | 50,195 | 2.09 in | report |
| May 27, 2015 | Kokanee Salmon | 110,595 | 2.3 in | report |
| July 1, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 18,000 | 3.41 in | report |
| June 20, 2013 | Kokanee Salmon | 71,979 | 3 in | report |
| June 4, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 14,175 | 3.62 in | report |
| June 4, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 7,825 | 4.31 in | report |
| July 25, 2012 | Largemouth Bass | 6,000 | 1.2 in | report |
| June 18, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 20,000 | 4.07 in | report |
| May 7, 2012 | Kokanee Salmon | 100,000 | 2.3 in | report |
| July 27, 2011 | Largemouth Bass | 6,000 | 1.6 in | report |
| June 14, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 9,996 | 3.52 in | report |
| June 14, 2011 | Kokanee Salmon | 100,000 | 2 in | report |
| June 7, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 9,966 | 4.02 in | report |
| June 7, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 9,966 | 4.02 in | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Libby
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Fee required
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping
Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park has a concrete boat ramp at the Peninsula on Lower Thompson Lake. The park stretches along Highway 2 between Kalispell and Libby, with 83 rustic campsites (no drinking water) and an $8 nonresident day fee.
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 Lower Thompson Lake
The roads within Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park are primitive and not recommended for motor homes and large trailers. (fwp.mt.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Lower Thompson Lake?
Fishing Lower Thompson Lake usually means Kokanee Salmon: Kokanee Salmon accounts for 12 of 25 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and one more. Kokanee Salmon was last stocked April 24, 2024, averaging 2.4 in. Rainbow Trout was last stocked June 23, 2026, averaging 3.7 in. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 25, 2012, averaging 1.4 in. Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and Brown Trout, plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Lower Thompson Lake stocked?
Last stocked June 23, 2026. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. No plants recorded in 2018 and 2025.
How big are the fish stocked at Lower Thompson Lake?
Stocked fish average 2.9 in. Kokanee Salmon average 2.4 in. Rainbow Trout average 3.7 in. Largemouth Bass average 1.4 in.
How do you get on Lower Thompson Lake?
There is a boat ramp and a fee is required. The nearest town is Libby. Facilities include camping. Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park has a concrete boat ramp at the Peninsula on Lower Thompson Lake. The park stretches along Highway 2 between Kalispell and Libby, with 83 rustic campsites (no drinking water) and an $8 nonresident day fee.