Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 21 plants · last October 9, 2025 Last stocked October 9, 2025 · avg 5.5 in · 21 plants
Cutthroat Trout species guidePlacid Lake fishing
Placid Lake fishing has Kokanee Salmon and Cutthroat Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and 2 more. It is stocked about 2.2 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Largemouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Yellow Perch, and dusk for Pumpkinseed.
- Last stocked
- October 9, 2025
- · Cutthroat Trout
- Plants on record
- 33
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 2 (+8 also recorded)
- Average size
- 4.4 in
- Elevation
- 4,123.8 ft
Fish at Placid Lake
Around the dates Placid Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 50.2°F in May, 39.8°F in April, 68.3°F in July, 42.9°F in October. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 21 plants · last October 9, 2025 
Kokanee Salmon Stocked · 12 plants · last May 14, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk 
Rainbow Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Rainbow Trout species guide
Brown Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Brown Trout species guide Bull Trout Confirmed present
Mountain Whitefish Confirmed present
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass 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 Northern Pikeminnow Confirmed present
How Placid Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2014.
Fish stocked in 2011
100,000
Fish stocked in 2012
99,815
Fish stocked in 2013
99,879
Fish stocked in 2015
50,011
Fish stocked in 2016
58,629
Fish stocked in 2017
49,312
Fish stocked in 2018
20,000
Fish stocked in 2019
50,618
Fish stocked in 2020
50,500
Fish stocked in 2021
48,000
Fish stocked in 2022
50,000
Fish stocked in 2023
38,000
Fish stocked in 2024
52,000
Fish stocked in 2025
12,000
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 9, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,000 | 5.63 in | report |
| October 2, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,000 | 5.23 in | report |
| May 14, 2024 | Kokanee Salmon | 40,000 | 2.5 in | report |
| October 18, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,000 | 6.93 in | report |
| April 28, 2023 | Kokanee Salmon | 30,000 | 2.56 in | report |
| May 11, 2022 | Kokanee Salmon | 30,000 | 2.5 in | report |
| May 10, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 4.94 in | report |
| May 10, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 4.65 in | report |
| May 13, 2021 | Kokanee Salmon | 28,000 | 3 in | report |
| May 6, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5.2 in | report |
| May 6, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 4.57 in | report |
| May 20, 2020 | Kokanee Salmon | 30,000 | 3 in | report |
| May 7, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 4.98 in | report |
| May 7, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,500 | 6.23 in | report |
| May 29, 2019 | Kokanee Salmon | 30,099 | 2.5 in | report |
| May 23, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,519 | 4.87 in | report |
| May 23, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5.02 in | report |
| May 21, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 4.84 in | report |
| May 21, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5.86 in | report |
| September 26, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 6.93 in | report |
| June 14, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,504 | 5.25 in | report |
| May 16, 2017 | Kokanee Salmon | 29,808 | 2.22 in | report |
| August 30, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,500 | 6.88 in | report |
| July 26, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,105 | 4.2 in | report |
| June 13, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 5.29 in | report |
| April 27, 2016 | Kokanee Salmon | 30,024 | 2.01 in | report |
| August 27, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 6.48 in | report |
| July 23, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,454 | 5.71 in | report |
| July 23, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,537 | 5.71 in | report |
| May 6, 2015 | Kokanee Salmon | 30,020 | 2.1 in | report |
| April 30, 2013 | Kokanee Salmon | 99,879 | 2 in | report |
| May 2, 2012 | Kokanee Salmon | 99,815 | 2.3 in | report |
| May 23, 2011 | Kokanee Salmon | 100,000 | 2 in | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Seeley Lake
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- Yes
- Fee required
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping, restrooms
Placid Lake State Park, 28 miles northeast of Missoula near Seeley Lake, covers the lake's east end at its outlet to Owl Creek, a Clearwater River tributary. Boat launch, 40 campsites (17 with electricity) plus a hike-bike site, flush and vault toilets, a shower and a swim area.
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 Placid Lake
Visitors to Placid Lake must be aware of Aquatic Invasive Species, as they can be easily spread between water bodies. Additionally, all attractants should be stored in closed, hard-sided containers or vehicles, or in available food lockers for tent campers, to prevent wildlife interactions. (fwp.mt.gov, accessed October 5, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Public land at Placid Lake
Placid Lake is 0.8 miles outside the edge of Placid Lake State Park.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Placid Lake?
Fishing Placid Lake usually means Cutthroat Trout: Cutthroat Trout accounts for 21 of 33 plants on record, ahead of Kokanee Salmon. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked October 9, 2025, averaging 5.5 in. Kokanee Salmon was last stocked May 14, 2024, averaging 2.4 in. Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, and Mountain Whitefish, plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Placid Lake stocked?
Last stocked October 9, 2025. It is stocked about 2.2 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. No plants recorded in 2014.
How big are the fish stocked at Placid Lake?
Stocked fish average 4.4 in. Cutthroat Trout average 5.5 in. Kokanee Salmon average 2.4 in.
How do you get on Placid Lake?
There is a boat ramp, it is ADA accessible, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Seeley Lake. Facilities include camping and restrooms. Placid Lake State Park, 28 miles northeast of Missoula near Seeley Lake, covers the lake's east end at its outlet to Owl Creek, a Clearwater River tributary. Boat launch, 40 campsites (17 with electricity) plus a hike-bike site, flush and vault toilets, a shower and a swim area.
Which lakes near Placid Lake were stocked more recently?
Harpers Lake (9.2 mi) and Lake Inez (11.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Harpers Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Lake Inez is also stocked with Kokanee Salmon and Cutthroat Trout.