Tiger Trout
Tiger trout in Montana are sterile hybrids created by crossing female brown trout with male brook trout. They're not native to Montana waters and exist only through hatchery stocking programs.
These aggressive predators are valued for biocontrol of stunted fish populations while providing unique angling opportunities.
- These aggressive predators are distinguished by pronounced dark vermiculations (tiger stripes) covering their brownish-gray bodies, with bright orange and yellow bellies.
- They typically average 10-16 inches but can grow much larger - Montana's state record is a 4-pound, 20-inch fish caught from Bear Lake in 1997.
Fishing in Montana
Missouri River
Sun River
Smith River
Belt Creek
Marias River
Benton Lake
Holter Lake
Teton River
Dearborn River
Little Muddy Creek
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They inhabit the same waters as brook, brown, and rainbow trout - typically cold, clear mountain lakes and streams.
Key Locations
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is currently introducing them to multiple waters including Crater Lake, Lily Pad Lake, and Companion Lake in the Beartooth Mountains (accessible via West Rosebud Road and Goose Lake Jeep Trail near Cooke City), plus several central Montana reservoirs including Bair, Crow Coulee, Hansen, and Leningtons reservoirs.
Specific Spots
- Tigers are typically found close to shore down to 25 feet of water near structures where they hunt shiners, chubs, and other forage fish.
- Focus on current edges, undercut banks, rock pockets, and structure in both lakes and streams.
Tiger Trout FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Tiger Trout in Montana?
Effective conventional lures include Kastmasters, Triple Teasers, Jake's Spin-a-lures, spoons, spinners, and jigs. Live bait like cured fish roe and insects also work well.
What flies work for Tiger Trout in Montana?
For fly fishing, use streamers like Woolly Buggers, leeches, sculpin patterns, and large nymph patterns. When targeting smaller tigers, beadhead nymphs and generic dry flies work during surface feeding periods. As tigers mature and target baitfish, switch to larger animated streamers that attract attention.
How do you catch Tiger Trout in Montana?
Fish them in the same locations and times you'd target brook and brown trout, focusing on current edges, undercut banks, rock pockets, and structure in both lakes and streams. Tigers can be taken by bait casting, spinning, jigging, trolling, and still fishing.
What do Tiger Trout eat?
Tiger trout are piscivorous feeders with an immense appetite, primarily eating zooplankton, aquatic invertebrates, insects, larvae, and small fish including brook trout, sculpins, and lake chub. As juveniles they focus on aquatic insects, but mature tigers become specialized fish predators.
Where do Tiger Trout live in Montana?
They inhabit the same waters as brook, brown, and rainbow trout - typically cold, clear mountain lakes and streams.
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