Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 22 plants · last September 30, 2025 Last stocked September 30, 2025 · avg 1.8 in · 22 plants
Cutthroat Trout species guideRainbow Lake fishing
Rainbow Lake fishing has Cutthroat Trout and Golden Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 2011, most often in August and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.
- Last stocked
- September 30, 2025
- · Cutthroat Trout
- Plants on record
- 24
- Since 2011
- Species recorded
- 2
- Average size
- 1.7 in
- Elevation
- 3,231.4 ft
Fish at Rainbow Lake
Around the dates Rainbow Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 69.7°F in August, 59.7°F in September, 44.6°F in October, 71.8°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 22 plants · last September 30, 2025 
Golden Trout Stocked · 2 plants · last October 6, 2017 Best: dawn, dusk How Rainbow Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2016 and 2020.
Fish stocked in 2011
1,613
Fish stocked in 2012
2,922
Fish stocked in 2013
999
Fish stocked in 2014
2,685
Fish stocked in 2015
986
Fish stocked in 2017
2,000
Fish stocked in 2018
600
Fish stocked in 2019
3,000
Fish stocked in 2021
2,600
Fish stocked in 2022
996
Fish stocked in 2023
2,700
Fish stocked in 2024
5,300
Fish stocked in 2025
2,700
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,700 | 2 in | report |
| October 1, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,700 | 2 in | report |
| August 24, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | 1.66 in | report |
| August 9, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.5 in | report |
| August 6, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.5 in | report |
| October 19, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,700 | 1.98 in | report |
| July 25, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 996 | 1.31 in | report |
| September 4, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | 1.99 in | report |
| August 10, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2 in | report |
| July 13, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 2 in | report |
| August 5, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | 1.37 in | report |
| September 1, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | 2.43 in | report |
| October 6, 2017 | Golden Trout | 1,000 | 1.33 in | report |
| September 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.99 in | report |
| August 28, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 986 | 1.65 in | report |
| September 21, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 634 | 2.11 in | report |
| September 4, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,051 | 1.45 in | report |
| September 4, 2014 | Golden Trout | 1,000 | 1 in | report |
| August 5, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 999 | 1.1 in | report |
| September 18, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 922 | 2.07 in | report |
| August 14, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.81 in | report |
| August 5, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,000 | 1.81 in | report |
| September 5, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | 2.21 in | report |
| August 8, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,013 | 1.52 in | report |
Access and facts
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Rainbow Lake?
Fishing Rainbow Lake usually means Cutthroat Trout: Cutthroat Trout accounts for 22 of 24 plants on record, ahead of Golden Trout. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked September 30, 2025, averaging 1.8 in. Golden Trout was last stocked October 6, 2017, averaging 1.2 in.
When is Rainbow Lake stocked?
Last stocked September 30, 2025. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 2011, most often in August and September. No plants recorded in 2016 and 2020.
How big are the fish stocked at Rainbow Lake?
Stocked fish average 1.7 in. Cutthroat Trout average 1.8 in. Golden Trout average 1.2 in.
Which lakes near Rainbow Lake were stocked more recently?
Lake Mary Ronan (14.7 mi), Ninepipes Pond (Allentown) (25.6 mi), and Little Mcgregor Lake (28.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Mary Ronan is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.