Largemouth Bass Stocked · 13 plants · last August 7, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk Payola Reservoir fishing
Payola Reservoir fishing is stocked with Largemouth Bass on a reservoir. Also recorded: Yellow Perch. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2011, most often in July and August. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch.
- Last stocked
- August 7, 2025
- · Largemouth Bass
- Plants on record
- 13
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 1 (+1 also recorded)
- Average size
- 1.8 in
- Elevation
- 3,039.8 ft
Fish at Payola Reservoir
Around the dates Payola Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 74.4°F in July, 72.2°F in August. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 13 plants · last August 7, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk 
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guidePayola Reservoir is stocked by Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks with both large mouth bass and yellow perch. (blm.gov, accessed October 5, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Payola Reservoir is stocked
No plants recorded in 2021 and 2022.
Fish stocked in 2011
3,000
Fish stocked in 2012
3,000
Fish stocked in 2013
3,000
Fish stocked in 2014
1,500
Fish stocked in 2015
1,500
Fish stocked in 2016
1,500
Fish stocked in 2017
1,500
Fish stocked in 2018
1,500
Fish stocked in 2019
1,000
Fish stocked in 2020
3,000
Fish stocked in 2023
3,000
Fish stocked in 2024
3,000
Fish stocked in 2025
3,000
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 7, 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 1.62 in | report |
| August 12, 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 1.49 in | report |
| August 4, 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 2.71 in | report |
| July 13, 2020 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 0.8 in | report |
| July 24, 2019 | Largemouth Bass | 1,000 | 1.55 in | report |
| July 23, 2018 | Largemouth Bass | 1,500 | 2.26 in | report |
| August 3, 2017 | Largemouth Bass | 1,500 | 1.4 in | report |
| July 28, 2016 | Largemouth Bass | 1,500 | 1.89 in | report |
| July 31, 2015 | Largemouth Bass | 1,500 | 2.3 in | report |
| July 31, 2014 | Largemouth Bass | 1,500 | 1.84 in | report |
| July 16, 2013 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 2.3 in | report |
| July 16, 2012 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 1.75 in | report |
| July 26, 2011 | Largemouth Bass | 3,000 | 1.6 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Winnett
- Fee required
- No
A no-fee BLM day-use site with a picnic cabana and fire pits above the reservoir. From Winnett take Cemetery Road north about 8 to 9 miles and turn at the BLM Payola sign.
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.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Payola Reservoir?
Fishing Payola Reservoir usually means Largemouth Bass. All 13 plants on record are Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass was last stocked August 7, 2025, averaging 1.8 in. Yellow Perch is recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Payola Reservoir stocked?
Last stocked August 7, 2025. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2011, most often in July and August. No plants recorded in 2021 and 2022.
How big are the fish stocked at Payola Reservoir?
Largemouth Bass stocked at Payola Reservoir average 1.8 in.
How do you get on Payola Reservoir?
No fee is required. The nearest town is Winnett. A no-fee BLM day-use site with a picnic cabana and fire pits above the reservoir. From Winnett take Cemetery Road north about 8 to 9 miles and turn at the BLM Payola sign.
Which lakes near Payola Reservoir were stocked more recently?
Yellow Water Reservoir (15 mi), Petrolia Reservoir (15.9 mi), Drag Creek Reservoir (24.1 mi), and Anita Reservoir (37.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Drag Creek Reservoir is also stocked with Largemouth Bass and Anita Reservoir is also stocked with Largemouth Bass.