Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 5 plants · last August 1, 2023 Last stocked August 1, 2023 · avg 2.5 in · 5 plants
Cutthroat Trout species guideRock Island Lake fishing
Rock Island Lake fishing: not stocked since August 1, 2023. It was stocked with Cutthroat Trout on a high alpine lake. Also recorded: Brook Trout. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk as the active times.
- Last stocked
- August 1, 2023
- · Cutthroat Trout
- Plants on record
- 5
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 1 (+1 also recorded)
- Average size
- 2.5 in
- Elevation
- 8,156.9 ft
Fish at Rock Island Lake
Around the dates Rock Island Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 57.7°F in July, 55.8°F in August. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 5 plants · last August 1, 2023 
Brook Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Brook Trout species guideHow Rock Island Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 8 years between 2011 and 2023.
Fish stocked in 2011
13,700
Fish stocked in 2014
13,700
Fish stocked in 2017
10,000
Fish stocked in 2020
13,700
Fish stocked in 2023
13,720
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,720 | 2.54 in | report |
| July 20, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,700 | 2.83 in | report |
| July 17, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | 2.2 in | report |
| July 14, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,700 | 2.5 in | report |
| August 2, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,700 | 2.2 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- high alpine
Clarks Fork drainage lake, 3.25 miles by trail from the Kersey Lake Trailhead (right on Trail #565 for the last stretch). Many well-used campsites with firewood available. Popular due to relatively easy access for a backcountry Beartooth lake.
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 Rock Island Lake
Rock Island Lake is inside Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
It is less than 0.1 miles outside the edge of Custer Gallatin National Forest.
It is 0.9 miles outside the edge of Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
It is 0.9 miles outside the edge of Shoshone National Forest.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Rock Island Lake?
Fishing Rock Island Lake usually means Cutthroat Trout. All 5 plants on record are Cutthroat Trout. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked August 1, 2023, averaging 2.5 in. Brook Trout is recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Rock Island Lake stocked?
Not stocked since August 1, 2023. No plants recorded in 8 years between 2011 and 2023.
How big are the fish stocked at Rock Island Lake?
Cutthroat Trout stocked at Rock Island Lake average 2.5 in.
How do you get on Rock Island Lake?
Clarks Fork drainage lake, 3.25 miles by trail from the Kersey Lake Trailhead (right on Trail #565 for the last stretch). Many well-used campsites with firewood available. Popular due to relatively easy access for a backcountry Beartooth lake.
Which lakes near Rock Island Lake were stocked more recently?
Albino Lake (11.2 mi), Glacier Lake (13.2 mi), and East Rosebud Lake (14.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Albino Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Glacier Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout, and East Rosebud Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.