West Rosebud Lake fishing

West Rosebud Lake fishing has Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, and Longnose Sucker. It is stocked about 3.1 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brook Trout and Brown Trout.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
June 3, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
49
Since 2011
Species stocked
2 (+4 also recorded)
Average size
7.7 in
Elevation
6,399.4 ft

Fish at West Rosebud Lake

2 stocked · 4 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 43 plants · last June 3, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked June 3, 2026 · avg 8.1 in · 43 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 6 plants · last September 5, 2025

Last stocked September 5, 2025 · avg 5.1 in · 6 plants

Cutthroat Trout species guide

West Rosebud Lake offers wonderful opportunities for trout fishing, as it is stocked regularly by the State of Montana. Fish available include Trout, and anglers can use various methods, such as Wade, Shore, Motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, and Bait. There is a fully accessible fishing pier and pathway. (fs.usda.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How West Rosebud Lake is stocked

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

No plants recorded in 2022.

Fish stocked in 2011

4,036

Fish stocked in 2012

4,719

Fish stocked in 2013

4,139

Fish stocked in 2014

3,978

Fish stocked in 2015

3,019

Fish stocked in 2016

3,108

Fish stocked in 2017

3,000

Fish stocked in 2018

3,077

Fish stocked in 2019

2,610

Fish stocked in 2020

3,002

Fish stocked in 2021

11,299

Fish stocked in 2023

3,262

Fish stocked in 2024

3,143

Fish stocked in 2025

6,000

Fish stocked in 2026

3,000

Stocking history

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 3, 2026Rainbow Trout3,0006.15 inreport
September 5, 2025Cutthroat Trout3,0002.99 inreport
July 8, 2025Rainbow Trout1,0009.5 inreport
June 22, 2025Rainbow Trout1,0009.5 inreport
May 12, 2025Rainbow Trout1,0009.41 inreport
June 20, 2024Rainbow Trout1,5007.77 inreport
June 5, 2024Rainbow Trout1,1489.17 inreport
June 5, 2024Rainbow Trout3679.38 inreport
June 5, 2024Rainbow Trout1289 inreport
July 18, 2023Rainbow Trout1,1008.67 inreport
June 27, 2023Rainbow Trout1,1288.12 inreport
May 17, 2023Rainbow Trout1,0348.14 inreport
October 5, 2021Cutthroat Trout8,2383.89 inreport
July 20, 2021Rainbow Trout1,0088.64 inreport
June 16, 2021Rainbow Trout1,0527.33 inreport
May 24, 2021Rainbow Trout1,0017.52 inreport
July 28, 2020Rainbow Trout1,0019.46 inreport
June 24, 2020Rainbow Trout1,0008.23 inreport
May 27, 2020Rainbow Trout1,0018 inreport
July 19, 2019Rainbow Trout8107.47 inreport
June 19, 2019Rainbow Trout8006.73 inreport
May 14, 2019Rainbow Trout1,0007.3 inreport
August 1, 2018Rainbow Trout1,0016.69 inreport
June 27, 2018Rainbow Trout1,0737.69 inreport
May 18, 2018Rainbow Trout1,0036.16 inreport
July 12, 2017Rainbow Trout1,0058.3 inreport
June 19, 2017Rainbow Trout1,0068.42 inreport
April 13, 2017Rainbow Trout9896.32 inreport
July 13, 2016Rainbow Trout1,0108.69 inreport
June 20, 2016Rainbow Trout1,0747.75 inreport
April 20, 2016Rainbow Trout1,0248.19 inreport
July 15, 2015Rainbow Trout1,0008.51 inreport
June 22, 2015Rainbow Trout1,0017.13 inreport
May 5, 2015Rainbow Trout1,0187.47 inreport
October 10, 2014Cutthroat Trout9555.99 inreport
July 16, 2014Rainbow Trout9988.32 inreport
June 23, 2014Rainbow Trout1,0047.62 inreport
May 5, 2014Rainbow Trout1,0217.31 inreport
October 11, 2013Cutthroat Trout1,0906.47 inreport
July 17, 2013Rainbow Trout1,0367.71 inreport
June 24, 2013Rainbow Trout1,0007.53 inreport
May 13, 2013Rainbow Trout1,0138.4 inreport
October 10, 2012Cutthroat Trout1,5785.53 inreport
July 18, 2012Rainbow Trout1,0079.93 inreport
June 25, 2012Rainbow Trout1,0088.85 inreport
May 14, 2012Rainbow Trout1,12610.17 inreport
October 13, 2011Cutthroat Trout1,0155.75 inreport
August 17, 2011Rainbow Trout2,0087.68 inreport
May 18, 2011Rainbow Trout1,0138.73 inreport

Access and facts

Nearest town
Fishtail
Shore access
Yes
Float tube friendly
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
No
Facilities
restrooms, dock

West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access (Beartooth Ranger District) has a fully accessible fishing pier and pathway, a vault toilet, and passenger-car access; day use only (sunrise to sunset). No fee. Wade, shore, float-tube, and boat fishing for trout are all available.

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

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

Nearest lakes

Emerald Lake 0.9 mi last stocked June 3, 2026 East Rosebud Lake 5.1 mi last stocked June 18, 2025 Kersey Lake 16.6 mi last stocked July 28, 2014 Rock Island Lake 16.8 mi last stocked August 1, 2023 Moon Lake 17 mi last stocked August 1, 2023

Public land at West Rosebud Lake

West Rosebud Lake is inside Custer Gallatin National Forest.

It is less than 0.1 miles outside the edge of Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.

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

Common questions

What fish are at West Rosebud Lake?

Fishing West Rosebud Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 43 of 49 plants on record, ahead of Cutthroat Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked June 3, 2026, averaging 8.1 in. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked September 5, 2025, averaging 5.1 in. Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, and Longnose Sucker are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is West Rosebud Lake stocked?

Last stocked June 3, 2026. It is stocked about 3.1 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. No plants recorded in 2022.

How big are the fish stocked at West Rosebud Lake?

Stocked fish average 7.7 in. Rainbow Trout average 8.1 in. Cutthroat Trout average 5.1 in.

How do you get on West Rosebud Lake?

Shore fishing is available, it is float tube friendly, it is ADA accessible, and no fee is required. The nearest town is Fishtail. Facilities include restrooms and dock. West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access (Beartooth Ranger District) has a fully accessible fishing pier and pathway, a vault toilet, and passenger-car access; day use only (sunrise to sunset). No fee. Wade, shore, float-tube, and boat fishing for trout are all available.

Sources (3) +