Ruby River Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Ruby River Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Rainbow Trout. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2011, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

June 22, 2026

Plants on record

24

Since 2011

Species recorded

1

Average size

4 in

Elevation

5,396.5 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Alder
Shore access
Yes
Fee required
No
Facilities
camping

From Montana Highway 287, turn south at Alder onto Road 357 and continue about 10 miles to this BLM recreation site on the west side of the road. Fishing, boating, and camping access; no fee. Water levels fluctuate a lot since it is an irrigation reservoir.

Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , watch_outs

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Ruby River Reservoir is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2026 it was June 22, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 2024.

Fish at Ruby River Reservoir

Fishing Ruby River Reservoir is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. All 24 plants on record are Rainbow Trout.

Around the dates Ruby River Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 68.3°F in July, 58.9°F in June, 48.1°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 24 plants
Plants
24 of 24
Last stocked
June 22, 2026
Average length
4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fishing Ruby River Reservoir

Ruby Reservoir provides access to fishing as one of its recreational activities. This reservoir was originally developed to supply irrigation water for agriculture. As a result, it is subject to large fluctuations in water levels.

Sources: blm.gov

What to watch for

Anglers should be aware that Ruby Reservoir is subject to large fluctuations in water levels. This condition exists because the reservoir was developed to supply irrigation water for agriculture.

Fish stocked per year

  • 65,0462011
  • 49,9752012
  • 67,7112013
  • 71,0302014
  • 72,4592015
  • 65,4612016
  • 43,0152017
  • 62,5192018
  • 58,0012019
  • 67,6862020
  • 50,0392021
  • 85,0072022
  • 75,2762023
  • 48,6962025
  • 52,4282026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 24 plants Showing 24 plants

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 22, 2026 Rainbow Trout 52,428 3.8 in report
June 24, 2025 Rainbow Trout 48,696 4.9 in report
June 28, 2023 Rainbow Trout 75,276 3.91 in report
May 18, 2022 Rainbow Trout 85,007 2.03 in report
July 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 50,039 4.2 in report
July 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 33,074 4.43 in report
June 30, 2020 Rainbow Trout 34,612 4.46 in report
July 22, 2019 Rainbow Trout 58,001 4.06 in report
July 30, 2018 Rainbow Trout 23,861 4.14 in report
July 23, 2018 Rainbow Trout 38,658 3.63 in report
July 24, 2017 Rainbow Trout 32,201 3.98 in report
June 19, 2017 Rainbow Trout 10,814 3.27 in report
July 20, 2016 Rainbow Trout 36,741 3.48 in report
July 20, 2016 Rainbow Trout 28,720 3.35 in report
July 22, 2015 Rainbow Trout 37,167 4.1 in report
July 20, 2015 Rainbow Trout 35,292 4.43 in report
July 9, 2014 Rainbow Trout 38,441 4.18 in report
July 7, 2014 Rainbow Trout 32,589 4.29 in report
July 8, 2013 Rainbow Trout 51,350 4.18 in report
July 8, 2013 Rainbow Trout 16,361 4.27 in report
July 17, 2012 Rainbow Trout 30,360 4.03 in report
July 16, 2012 Rainbow Trout 19,615 4.38 in report
July 5, 2011 Rainbow Trout 36,182 4.08 in report
July 5, 2011 Rainbow Trout 28,864 4.11 in report
Show 9 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.

Nearest lakes