Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime: April 15 - October 15)

Madison River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

44

John Way's Tip of the Week

Full winter fishing mode on the Madison right now. Deep nymph fishing is your best bet.

Directions open in app

Map of Madison River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Firehole Ranch
Madison Valley Ranch
The Tackle Shop Outfitters
Long Outfitting
Fins & Feathers
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 12/31/25

On and off cold and winter weather. Pick your day and you can have some good fishing.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/31/25

Deep nymph fishing is the best bet. Midges, worms, eggs and stone fly will take fish. The fish have move to the winter holding water. Think deep green buckets and slower deeper water.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime: April 15 - October 15)

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Mountain Whitefish

John Way's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph Tan 14
Bead Head Brassie™ brass 14
Atomic Worm red 14
Micro Egg oragne 10
Perdigon Black 16
CDC prince peacock 12
Rojo Midge brass 14
Vernille San Juan Worm Red 10
Cone head sculpin olive 6
Rubber leg stonefly black 10

Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph

Reach the deepest lies with this tungsten stonefly nymph.

2.99

Item #9R8R

Buy Now

John Way's Recommended Gear

Description: About Madison River

The Upper Madison is know as the "Fifty Mile Rifle". It has some of the most classic trout water in the country and many anglers from all over the country have called it their favorite for years. With lots of Rainbow and Brown Trout and good fishing with nymphs, dries, and streamsrs, the Madison is a near perfect trout stream. The Madison River has great access for wade and float fisherman. There are two wade fishing only sections. The first from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge. The second from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake. The most popular float section is from Lyons Bridge to McAtee Bridge.

Nearest Airport:

Gallatin Field Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana

Hatches:

Worms, eggs, stone fly nymph, midge larva, attractor nymphs.

Best Time to Fish:

Mid day

Best Stretch:

Reynolds Pass or 3 Dollar Bridge for Wade fisherman. Varney to Ennis for float fisherman.

Best Access:

3 Dollar Bridge and Valley Garden