Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 13 plants · last June 25, 2025 Last stocked June 25, 2025 · avg 2.9 in · 13 plants
Cutthroat Trout species guideRainbow Lake #2 fishing
Rainbow Lake #2 fishing is stocked with Cutthroat Trout on a high alpine lake. Also recorded: Rainbow Trout. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2012, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.
- Last stocked
- June 25, 2025
- · Cutthroat Trout
- Plants on record
- 13
- Since 2012
- Species stocked
- 1 (+1 also recorded)
- Average size
- 2.9 in
- Elevation
- 9,430.8 ft
Fish at Rainbow Lake #2
Around the dates Rainbow Lake #2 is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 53.4°F in July, 43°F in June, 51.6°F in August. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 13 plants · last June 25, 2025 
Rainbow Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Rainbow Trout species guideHow Rainbow Lake #2 is stocked
No plants recorded in 2016.
Fish stocked in 2012
13,000
Fish stocked in 2013
11,000
Fish stocked in 2014
13,000
Fish stocked in 2015
12,500
Fish stocked in 2017
7,500
Fish stocked in 2018
13,000
Fish stocked in 2019
13,000
Fish stocked in 2020
13,000
Fish stocked in 2021
13,000
Fish stocked in 2022
13,000
Fish stocked in 2023
13,000
Fish stocked in 2024
5,500
Fish stocked in 2025
13,000
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.04 in | report |
| July 30, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,500 | 9.41 in | report |
| August 2, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.64 in | report |
| July 25, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.35 in | report |
| July 27, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.37 in | report |
| July 2, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.64 in | report |
| July 17, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.75 in | report |
| July 23, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.17 in | report |
| July 17, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,500 | 2.1 in | report |
| June 29, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,500 | 1.94 in | report |
| July 14, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2.5 in | report |
| July 29, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,000 | 2.8 in | report |
| July 9, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,000 | 2 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- high alpine
Largest of the numbered Rainbow Lakes #1-#7 (26 acres, 30 ft deep) at 9,448 ft in the Boulder drainage of the Absaroka-Beartooth. Trail only: 11.25 miles from Box Canyon Trailhead on trails #27/#28, or 12 miles via Upsidedown Creek Trail #26. Good campsites; firewood is picked over.
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
Public land at Rainbow Lake #2
Rainbow Lake #2 is inside Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and Custer Gallatin National Forest.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Rainbow Lake #2?
Fishing Rainbow Lake #2 usually means Cutthroat Trout. All 13 plants on record are Cutthroat Trout. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked June 25, 2025, averaging 2.9 in. Rainbow Trout is recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Rainbow Lake #2 stocked?
Last stocked June 25, 2025. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2012, most often in June and July. No plants recorded in 2016.
How big are the fish stocked at Rainbow Lake #2?
Cutthroat Trout stocked at Rainbow Lake #2 average 2.9 in.
How do you get on Rainbow Lake #2?
Largest of the numbered Rainbow Lakes #1-#7 (26 acres, 30 ft deep) at 9,448 ft in the Boulder drainage of the Absaroka-Beartooth. Trail only: 11.25 miles from Box Canyon Trailhead on trails #27/#28, or 12 miles via Upsidedown Creek Trail #26. Good campsites; firewood is picked over.