Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Rainbow Trout, Walleye, and Cutthroat Trout. It is stocked about 1.4 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.

Last stocked

May 6, 2026

Plants on record

22

Since 2011

Species recorded

3

Average size

4.4 in

Elevation

3,195 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Fort Smith
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping

Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir below Afterbay Dam is fished by shoreline or boat, with a boat ramp just below the dam and the 22-site Afterbay Campground nearby, part of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Fort Smith.

Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities

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How Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2026 it was May 6, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2022.

Shiloh Conservation Pond 1 (44.3 mi) was stocked more recently. Shiloh Conservation Pond 1 is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.

Fish at Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir

Fishing Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 19 of 22 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and one more.

Around the dates Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 55.4°F in May, 44.2°F in April, 73.1°F in August, 75.1°F in July. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout 19 plants
Plants
19 of 22
Last stocked
May 6, 2026
Average length
4.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Walleye 2 plants
Plants
2 of 22
Last stocked
July 18, 2012
Average length
2.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Cutthroat Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 22
Last stocked
August 12, 2020
Average length
3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Cutthroat Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 23,0212011
  • 127,4842012
  • 31,0252013
  • 30,5662014
  • 41,9622015
  • 26,4322016
  • 24,2092017
  • 47,1642018
  • 20,8802019
  • 24,7462020
  • 14,9602021
  • 12,9702023
  • 10,1732024
  • 14,9602025
  • 6,2392026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 22 plants Showing 22 plants

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 6, 2026 Rainbow Trout 6,239 5.1 in report
April 2, 2025 Rainbow Trout 6,649 4.5 in report
April 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 8,311 4.3 in report
May 7, 2024 Rainbow Trout 10,173 4.65 in report
May 10, 2023 Rainbow Trout 12,970 4.65 in report
May 10, 2021 Rainbow Trout 14,960 4.41 in report
August 12, 2020 Cutthroat Trout 6,580 2.95 in report
May 13, 2020 Rainbow Trout 18,166 4.2 in report
May 15, 2019 Rainbow Trout 20,880 4.57 in report
May 7, 2018 Rainbow Trout 23,582 4.12 in report
May 7, 2018 Rainbow Trout 23,582 4.12 in report
October 4, 2017 Rainbow Trout 952 5.4 in report
August 8, 2017 Rainbow Trout 10,611 7.26 in report
August 7, 2017 Rainbow Trout 12,646 6.92 in report
April 29, 2016 Rainbow Trout 26,432 4.05 in report
October 6, 2015 Rainbow Trout 10,410 5.06 in report
May 11, 2015 Rainbow Trout 31,552 4.18 in report
May 27, 2014 Rainbow Trout 30,566 4.41 in report
May 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 31,025 3.89 in report
July 18, 2012 Walleye 36,692 2.37 in report
July 17, 2012 Walleye 90,792 2.37 in report
May 2, 2011 Rainbow Trout 23,021 4.15 in report
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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