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

Madison River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

John Way's Tip of the Week

Fish dry flies. Salmon flies on the lower river.

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 6/16/25

Should be a darn good week of fishing. Nice weather lots of hatches and eager fish.

Techniques & Tips as of 6/16/25

Go sub surface in the morning and then all dry in the afternoon.

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):
Gee's Supafly Stone Dry orange 8
Elk Wing Caddis Tan 14
Yellow Sally Yellow 10
Big Sky Salmon Fly Orange 8
Perdigon Black 16
Sculpin streamer Olive 6
Fly Formerly Known As Prince Peacock 14
TH 20 Incher peacock 4
Chubby salmon orange 8
Wire worm red 12

Gee's Supafly Stone Dry

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Item #7R53

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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:

Salmon flies, caddis, Yellow Sallies,

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