Walleye Stocked · 39 plants · last June 29, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night Nelson Reservoir fishing
Nelson Reservoir fishing is stocked with Northern Pike, Walleye, Rainbow Trout, and Channel Catfish on a reservoir. Also recorded: Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, Common Carp, and 6 more. It is stocked about 3.3 times a year since 2011, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Black Crappie, and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Common Carp.
- Last stocked
- June 29, 2026
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 52
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 4 (+12 also recorded)
- Average size
- 2.6 in
Fish at Nelson Reservoir
Walleye Stocked · 39 plants · last June 29, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 9 plants · last May 27, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk 
Channel Catfish Stocked · 2 plants · last September 9, 2021 Best: dusk, night Last stocked September 9, 2021 · avg 1.8 in · 2 plants
Best: dusk, night
Channel Catfish species guide
Northern Pike Stocked · 2 plants · last June 1, 2012 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
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
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Burbot Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Burbot species guide
Lake Whitefish Confirmed present 
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide Bigmouth Buffalo Confirmed present
Smallmouth Buffalo Confirmed present
Goldeye Confirmed present
White Sucker Confirmed present
Shorthead Redhorse Confirmed present
Longnose Sucker Confirmed present
How Nelson Reservoir is stocked
No plants recorded in 2017.
Fish stocked in 2011
102,393
Fish stocked in 2012
102,616
Fish stocked in 2013
102,702
Fish stocked in 2014
50,171
Fish stocked in 2015
105,615
Fish stocked in 2016
108,319
Fish stocked in 2018
49,846
Fish stocked in 2019
109,602
Fish stocked in 2020
123,177
Fish stocked in 2021
104,925
Fish stocked in 2022
105,454
Fish stocked in 2023
100,384
Fish stocked in 2024
101,351
Fish stocked in 2025
115,369
Fish stocked in 2026
100,300
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 29, 2026 | Walleye | 22,500 | 1.76 in | report |
| June 29, 2026 | Walleye | 77,300 | 1.51 in | report |
| May 27, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 6.52 in | report |
| June 25, 2025 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 25, 2025 | Walleye | 44,169 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 25, 2025 | Walleye | 65,950 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 7, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 6.79 in | report |
| July 18, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 7.24 in | report |
| June 21, 2024 | Walleye | 9,230 | 1.39 in | report |
| June 21, 2024 | Walleye | 91,871 | 1.45 in | report |
| July 12, 2023 | Walleye | 11,867 | 2.01 in | report |
| July 12, 2023 | Walleye | 24,510 | 2.24 in | report |
| July 11, 2023 | Walleye | 38,666 | 2.09 in | report |
| July 10, 2023 | Walleye | 25,091 | 2.23 in | report |
| June 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 6.7 in | report |
| June 30, 2022 | Walleye | 5,058 | 1.4 in | report |
| June 27, 2022 | Walleye | 100,146 | 1.4 in | report |
| May 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 7.08 in | report |
| September 9, 2021 | Channel Catfish | 4,000 | 1.91 in | report |
| June 25, 2021 | Walleye | 13,200 | 1.62 in | report |
| June 21, 2021 | Walleye | 61,492 | 1.37 in | report |
| June 21, 2021 | Walleye | 25,983 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 6.83 in | report |
| August 20, 2020 | Channel Catfish | 4,000 | 1.63 in | report |
| June 26, 2020 | Walleye | 62,019 | 1.91 in | report |
| June 24, 2020 | Walleye | 52,267 | 1.95 in | report |
| June 18, 2020 | Walleye | 4,629 | 1.78 in | report |
| May 6, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 262 | 6.59 in | report |
| June 27, 2019 | Walleye | 25,101 | 1.73 in | report |
| June 26, 2019 | Walleye | 5,000 | 1.56 in | report |
| June 25, 2019 | Walleye | 20,743 | 1.61 in | report |
| June 24, 2019 | Walleye | 39,556 | 1.52 in | report |
| June 19, 2019 | Walleye | 18,952 | 1.36 in | report |
| May 29, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 7.26 in | report |
| July 2, 2018 | Walleye | 11,173 | 2.18 in | report |
| July 2, 2018 | Walleye | 11,173 | 2.18 in | report |
| June 29, 2018 | Walleye | 27,224 | 1.98 in | report |
| June 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 276 | 6.04 in | report |
| June 28, 2016 | Walleye | 56,387 | 1.72 in | report |
| June 23, 2016 | Walleye | 5,030 | 1.57 in | report |
| June 20, 2016 | Walleye | 46,902 | 1.64 in | report |
| June 22, 2015 | Walleye | 105,615 | 1.55 in | report |
| June 18, 2014 | Walleye | 50,171 | 1.35 in | report |
| July 15, 2013 | Walleye | 15,046 | 2.18 in | report |
| July 2, 2013 | Walleye | 30,887 | 1.92 in | report |
| July 2, 2013 | Walleye | 10,507 | 2.28 in | report |
| June 26, 2013 | Walleye | 46,262 | 1.51 in | report |
| July 3, 2012 | Walleye | 84,986 | 2.02 in | report |
| July 3, 2012 | Walleye | 15,066 | 2.14 in | report |
| June 1, 2012 | Northern Pike | 2,564 | 2.64 in | report |
| July 8, 2011 | Walleye | 100,147 | 1.62 in | report |
| June 23, 2011 | Northern Pike | 2,246 | 2.58 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Malta
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping, restrooms
Reclamation reservoir northeast of Malta: take US 2 about 17 miles east of Malta to milepost 488, then 2 miles north on a county road. The road is paved to the boat ramps. A gravel campground has restrooms and drinking water, plus picnic shelters. Wind blows here in every season.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
We could not verify the exact location of this water, so no map is shown.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.
Nearest lakes
No other lakes on record in Montana yet.
Common questions
What fish are at Nelson Reservoir?
Fishing Nelson Reservoir usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 39 of 52 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and 2 more. Walleye was last stocked June 29, 2026, averaging 1.7 in. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 27, 2026, averaging 6.8 in. Channel Catfish was last stocked September 9, 2021, averaging 1.8 in. Northern Pike was last stocked June 1, 2012, averaging 2.6 in. Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, and Burbot, plus 8 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Nelson Reservoir stocked?
Last stocked June 29, 2026. It is stocked about 3.3 times a year since 2011, most often in June and July. No plants recorded in 2017.
How big are the fish stocked at Nelson Reservoir?
Stocked fish average 2.6 in. Walleye average 1.7 in. Rainbow Trout average 6.8 in. Channel Catfish average 1.8 in. Northern Pike average 2.6 in.
How do you get on Nelson Reservoir?
There is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Malta. Facilities include camping and restrooms. Reclamation reservoir northeast of Malta: take US 2 about 17 miles east of Malta to milepost 488, then 2 miles north on a county road. The road is paved to the boat ramps. A gravel campground has restrooms and drinking water, plus picnic shelters. Wind blows here in every season.