Tongue River Reservoir fishing

Tongue River Reservoir fishing is stocked with Walleye and Crappie on a reservoir. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Sauger, and 3 more. It is stocked about 3 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Crappie, and Rock Bass, dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch.

Tongue River Reservoir
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last stocked
May 14, 2026
· Walleye
Plants on record
48
Since 2011
Species stocked
2 (+9 also recorded)
Average size
1.4 in
Elevation
3,414.2 ft

Fish at Tongue River Reservoir

2 stocked · 9 confirmed present

Around the dates Tongue River Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 67.2°F in June, 55.5°F in May, 47.3°F in October, 44°F in April. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye Stocked · 35 plants · last May 14, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked May 14, 2026 · avg 1.2 in · 35 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Crappie Stocked · 13 plants · last October 20, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked October 20, 2025 · avg 2 in · 13 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Crappie species guide
Sauger Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk, night

Best: dawn, day, dusk, night

Sauger species guide

Tongue River Reservoir is a 12-mile long body of water located in southeastern Montana, offering excellent fishing opportunities. Many "state record" fish have been caught in its waters. The reservoir is known for excellent crappie, walleye, bass, and northern pike fishing. During winter, it serves as a popular ice fishing location. (fwp.mt.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

How Tongue River Reservoir is stocked

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Castle Rock Reservoir (56.5 mi) and Bighorn Lake (59.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Castle Rock Reservoir is also stocked with Walleye and Bighorn Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish stocked in 2011

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2012

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2013

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2014

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2015

1,050,220

Fish stocked in 2016

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2017

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2018

1,054,578

Fish stocked in 2019

50,000

Fish stocked in 2020

1,050,000

Fish stocked in 2021

1,048,630

Fish stocked in 2022

1,052,495

Fish stocked in 2023

559,896

Fish stocked in 2024

522,516

Fish stocked in 2025

292,709

Fish stocked in 2026

250,000

Stocking history

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 14, 2026Walleye250,0000.25 inreport
October 20, 2025Crappie9,9291.14 inreport
October 17, 2025Crappie7,0421.62 inreport
October 16, 2025Crappie8,3401.76 inreport
October 15, 2025Crappie4,8981.72 inreport
June 19, 2025Walleye12,5001.29 inreport
May 5, 2025Walleye250,0000.25 inreport
October 17, 2024Crappie33,7222.19 inreport
October 11, 2024Crappie2,4122.97 inreport
October 10, 2024Crappie50,0001.7 inreport
October 9, 2024Crappie12,8071.8 inreport
October 8, 2024Crappie64,6351.76 inreport
October 8, 2024Crappie65,5521.79 inreport
October 7, 2024Crappie14,6162.26 inreport
October 7, 2024Crappie16,2721.48 inreport
June 11, 2024Walleye12,5001.39 inreport
May 3, 2024Walleye250,0000.25 inreport
October 10, 2023Crappie9,8963.26 inreport
July 12, 2023Walleye50,0002.01 inreport
May 13, 2023Walleye500,0000.53 inreport
June 15, 2022Walleye52,4951.19 inreport
May 13, 2022Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
August 4, 2021Walleye4,4976.42 inreport
July 6, 2021Walleye9073.21 inreport
June 30, 2021Walleye26,8361.62 inreport
June 28, 2021Walleye16,3901.81 inreport
May 1, 2021Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
June 10, 2020Walleye50,0002.8 inreport
May 19, 2020Walleye1,000,0000.47 inreport
June 19, 2019Walleye50,0001.6 inreport
June 25, 2018Walleye14,7751.85 inreport
June 24, 2018Walleye39,8031.64 inreport
May 9, 2018Walleye1,000,0000.2 inreport
June 14, 2017Walleye50,0001.51 inreport
May 11, 2017Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
June 14, 2016Walleye50,0001.34 inreport
April 28, 2016Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
June 18, 2015Walleye43,7941.27 inreport
June 18, 2015Walleye6,4261.69 inreport
May 7, 2015Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
June 24, 2014Walleye50,0001.25 inreport
May 9, 2014Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
June 11, 2013Walleye50,0001.5 inreport
May 14, 2013Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
June 11, 2012Walleye50,0001.49 inreport
April 28, 2012Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport
June 21, 2011Walleye50,0001.12 inreport
May 17, 2011Walleye1,000,0000.25 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Decker
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, dock, cleaning station

Tongue River Reservoir State Park has two boat ramps with docks (Campers Point and Pee Wee North), 164 campsites, 23 vault toilets, a fish cleaning station, and ADA-accessible facilities near Decker.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

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

About Tongue River Reservoir

Photo of Tongue River Reservoir
Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of Tongue River Reservoir
Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nearest lakes

Tongue River 4.5 mi last stocked April 27, 2020 Blacks Sawmill Pond 30.9 mi last stocked May 6, 2026 Castle Rock Reservoir 56.5 mi last stocked June 16, 2026 Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir 58.5 mi last stocked May 6, 2026 Bighorn Lake 59.2 mi last stocked July 7, 2026

Public land at Tongue River Reservoir

Tongue River Reservoir is 0.5 miles outside the edge of Tongue River Reservoir State Park.

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

Common questions

What fish are at Tongue River Reservoir?

Fishing Tongue River Reservoir usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 35 of 48 plants on record, ahead of Crappie. Walleye was last stocked May 14, 2026, averaging 1.2 in. Crappie was last stocked October 20, 2025, averaging 2 in. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch, plus 5 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Tongue River Reservoir stocked?

Last stocked May 14, 2026. It is stocked about 3 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June.

How big are the fish stocked at Tongue River Reservoir?

Stocked fish average 1.4 in. Walleye average 1.2 in. Crappie average 2 in.

How do you get on Tongue River Reservoir?

There is a boat ramp, it is ADA accessible, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Decker. Facilities include restrooms, camping, dock, and cleaning station. Tongue River Reservoir State Park has two boat ramps with docks (Campers Point and Pee Wee North), 164 campsites, 23 vault toilets, a fish cleaning station, and ADA-accessible facilities near Decker.

Which lakes near Tongue River Reservoir were stocked more recently?

Castle Rock Reservoir (56.5 mi) and Bighorn Lake (59.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Castle Rock Reservoir is also stocked with Walleye and Bighorn Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Sources (6) +