Placid Lake fishing

Fishing at Placid Lake has Kokanee Salmon and Cutthroat Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 2.2 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

October 9, 2025

Plants on record

33

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

4.4 in

Elevation

4,123.8 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Seeley Lake
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
camping, restrooms

Placid Lake State Park sits on a Clearwater River tributary near Seeley Lake, known for smooth water and trout fishing. 40 campsites (17 with electricity) plus a hike-bike site, boat launch, flush and vault toilets, and a shower.

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town

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How Placid Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2025 it was October 9, 2025, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 2014.

Harpers Lake (9.2 mi) was stocked more recently. Harpers Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.

Fish at Placid Lake

Fishing Placid Lake is most likely to be for Cutthroat Trout. Cutthroat Trout accounts for 21 of 33 plants on record, ahead of Kokanee Salmon.

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 21 plants
Plants
21 of 33
Last stocked
October 9, 2025
Average length
5.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Cutthroat Trout guide.

Kokanee Salmon 12 plants
Plants
12 of 33
Last stocked
May 14, 2024
Average length
2.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Kokanee Salmon guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 100,0002011
  • 99,8152012
  • 99,8792013
  • 50,0112015
  • 58,6292016
  • 49,3122017
  • 20,0002018
  • 50,6182019
  • 50,5002020
  • 48,0002021
  • 50,0002022
  • 38,0002023
  • 52,0002024
  • 12,0002025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 33 plants Showing 33 plants

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
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 10,500 6.23 in report
May 7, 2020 Cutthroat Trout 10,000 4.98 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
Show 18 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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