Madison Fishing Forecast
$3 Bridge in Paradise Valley
Opens 3rd Sat in May
Western District. Blue-ribbon fishery. Some sections have specific regs
Today's Fishing Conditions
Fair
Updated 6:41 PM
41°F
25 CFS
2 AM - 4 AM
WD-40
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Quick Facts
Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout
freestone
36°F - 46°F
March Fishing Tactics
Primary Targets
Recommended Tactics
Spring transition begins. BWOs emerge on overcast afternoons.
March Hatches
Skwala
Stonefly
Early season stonefly, hatches on warm afternoons
BWO
Mayfly
Blue Wing Olives hatch on overcast days, spring and fall
Midge
Midge
Year-round in tailwaters, winter staple
Year-Round Fishing Guide
| Month | Water Temp | Tactics |
|---|---|---|
| January | 32-38°F | Nymphing, Midges, Small Streamers |
| February | 32-40°F | Nymphing, Midges, Small Streamers |
| March(Now) | 36-46°F | Dry Flies, BWOs, Skwala |
| April | 42-52°F | Dry Flies, BWOs, Skwala |
| May | 48-58°F | Dry Flies, BWOs, Skwala |
| June | 54-64°F | Hoppers, Terrestrials, PMDs |
| July | 58-68°F | Hoppers, Terrestrials, PMDs |
| August | 60-70°F | Hoppers, Terrestrials, PMDs |
| September | 54-64°F | Streamers, BWOs, October Caddis |
| October | 46-56°F | Streamers, BWOs, October Caddis |
| November | 38-46°F | Streamers, BWOs, October Caddis |
| December | 32-40°F | Nymphing, Midges, Small Streamers |
Spawning Seasons
Please respect spawning fish and their redds. Avoid fishing over actively spawning trout.
Brown Trout
Spawn months: October, November
Night spawning common. Males become very dark with pronounced kype during spawn.
Rainbow Trout
Spawn months: March, April
Resident rainbow trout spawn in smaller tributaries and tend to build smaller redds than steelhead.
Access Points & Parking for Madison
Raynolds Pass
Upper river access near Hebgen Lake. Excellent early season fishing.
Lyons Bridge
Popular access between Quake Lake and Ennis. Good wade fishing.
Varney Bridge
Lower Madison access. Excellent for wading the famous riffle water.
Ennis Bridge
Town access with good wading opportunities.
Beartrap Canyon
Wilderness section with excellent fishing. Hike-in access only.
How to Fish Madison: Tips & Tactics
The Madison is a riffle-dominant river best fished with attractor dry flies and nymphs. The famous "50-mile riffle" offers consistent fishing throughout.
Best Times of Day
Early morning and evening offer the best dry fly action. Midday nymphing is productive year-round. Low light conditions are best for streamer fishing.
Recommended Techniques
Fish the seams and edges of riffles, not just the obvious runs. During caddis hatches, swinging soft hackles can be deadly. For big browns, fish streamers early morning and during low light.
Water Conditions
Optimal flows are 1,000-2,500 CFS. Above 3,000 CFS, fishing becomes difficult. Water temps of 50-65°F are ideal.
Fly Selection
Attractor dry flies like Chubby Chernobyls work well throughout the season. Match caddis and PMD hatches when active. Streamers produce trophy browns in low light.
Local Knowledge
The Madison can be crowded, especially near Ennis. Float the upper sections for more solitude. Local guides can access private water.
Local Tips
Check the Madison River Foundation for river conditions. The town of Ennis offers full services and excellent local fly shops.
When is the Best Time to Fish Madison?
Spring
The Skwala hatch in March kicks off the season. Runoff can be challenging in May-June but fish remain active.
Summer
Prime time from July through September with Caddis, PMDs, and terrestrials. Evening fishing is exceptional.
Fall
October offers excellent streamer fishing for large browns. Fewer crowds and aggressive fish.
Winter
The Madison fishes well in winter below Ennis. Midges and BWOs bring fish up on warm days.
Recommended Equipment for Madison
Rod
9-foot, 5 or 6-weight for general use. 7-weight for streamer fishing.
Line
Floating line with short sink tips for nymphing. Intermediate or sink-tip for streamers.
Leader & Tippet
9-foot 4X for dries, 7.5-foot 3X for streamers.
Waders
Breathable waders essential. Felt or rubber soles work. Wading can be tricky - use a wading staff.
Essential Flies
Madison Fishing Regulations
Season
Open year-round below Hebgen Lake.
Limits
Three trout daily, one over 18 inches. Rainbow trout must be released.
Special Regulations
Catch-and-release for rainbow trout. Single barbless hooks required in some sections.
Bait Restrictions
Artificial flies and lures only.
Notes
Check the Madison River Foundation for current regulations and river conditions.
Always verify current regulations with Montana fish and wildlife agency before fishing. Regulations can change annually.
Fly Shops & Guides Near Madison
Local Fly Shops
- Blue Ribbon Flies - Ennis
- Madison River Fishing Company - Ennis
- The Tackle Shop - Ennis
Guide Services
- Madison River Outfitters
- Slide Inn Guides
- Montana Trout Outfitters
Optimal Fishing Conditions
Optimal Flow
1000 - 2500 CFS
Best fishing conditions
Optimal Water Temperature
50° - 65°F
Ideal for active trout
Other Montana Trout Rivers
Bitterroot
Blackfoot
Yellowstone (inside YNP)
Missouri (below Holter)
Big Hole River
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