South Fish Lake fishing

South Fish Lake fishing has Cutthroat Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Rainbow Trout. It is stocked about 0.8 times a year since 2011, most often in July and August. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake

Last stocked: August 9, 2024; Aug 09 · Cutthroat Trout
Plants on record: 11; Since 2011
Species stocked: 1 (+1 also recorded)
Average size: 1.5 in
Elevation: 3,632.3 ft

Fish at South Fish Lake

1 stocked · 1 confirmed present

Around the dates South Fish Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 65.1°F in August, 66.3°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 11 plants · last August 9, 2024

Last stocked August 9, 2024 · avg 1.5 in · 11 plants

Cutthroat Trout species guide

Rainbow Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

How South Fish Lake is stocked

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

No plants recorded in 2018, 2020, and 2023.

Fish stocked in 2011

2,479

Fish stocked in 2012

2,090

Fish stocked in 2013

2,496

Fish stocked in 2014

2,676

Fish stocked in 2015

2,520

Fish stocked in 2016

1,274

Fish stocked in 2017

2,500

Fish stocked in 2019

2,500

Fish stocked in 2021

2,500

Fish stocked in 2022

2,502

Fish stocked in 2024

2,500

Stocking history

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
August 9, 2024	Cutthroat Trout	2,500	1.5 in	report
July 25, 2022	Cutthroat Trout	2,502	1.31 in	report
August 19, 2021	Cutthroat Trout	2,500	2 in	report
August 5, 2019	Cutthroat Trout	2,500	1.37 in	report
August 23, 2017	Cutthroat Trout	2,500	2 in	report
August 25, 2016	Cutthroat Trout	1,274	2.2 in	report
July 16, 2015	Cutthroat Trout	2,520	1.05 in	report
July 28, 2014	Cutthroat Trout	2,676	0.94 in	report
August 5, 2013	Cutthroat Trout	2,496	1.1 in	report
July 31, 2012	Cutthroat Trout	2,090	1.63 in	report
August 8, 2011	Cutthroat Trout	2,479	1.52 in	report

Access and facts

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Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you go.

Nearest lakes

Hoskins Lake 3 mi last stocked August 9, 2024 Vinal Lake 4.4 mi last stocked August 9, 2024 Lake Koocanusa 15.2 mi last stocked June 12, 2024 Swisher Lake 20.9 mi last stocked May 8, 2026 Tetrault Lake 21.3 mi last stocked May 6, 2026

Public land at South Fish Lake

South Fish Lake is inside Kootenai National Forest.

Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.

Common questions

What fish are at South Fish Lake?

Fishing South Fish Lake usually means Cutthroat Trout. All 11 plants on record are Cutthroat Trout. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked August 9, 2024, averaging 1.5 in. Rainbow Trout is recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is South Fish Lake stocked?

Last stocked August 9, 2024. It is stocked about 0.8 times a year since 2011, most often in July and August. No plants recorded in 2018, 2020, and 2023.

How big are the fish stocked at South Fish Lake?

Cutthroat Trout stocked at South Fish Lake average 1.5 in.

Which lakes near South Fish Lake were stocked more recently?

Swisher Lake (20.9 mi) and Tetrault Lake (21.3 mi) were stocked more recently. Tetrault Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.