Montana's Premier Trout Fishery

Madison River Fishing Reports

Daily conditions and fly recommendations for Montana's legendary Madison River. Updated every 12 hours with real-time data from USGS gauges and local weather stations.

West Yellowstone, Upper & Lower Madison • Updated Twice Daily

Today's Conditions

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Live Data

Updated Sep 16, 7:02 PM MDT

West Yellowstone

Yellowstone Park to Hebgen Lake

Water Temp (West Yellowstone) 57.7°F

Flow Rate (West Yellowstone) 290 CFS

Water Clarity Good

Park hoot owl restrictions were lifted September 4, so you've got full days again, sunrise to sunset. The fall run is just getting started with a few Hebgen fish in the lower river, but bright skies have kept the big push at bay. Water is skinny at 290 cfs, so this is a low-light, light-footed game right now.

Full West Yellowstone report

Upper Madison

Hebgen Dam to Ennis Lake

Water Temp (Kirby) 54.3°F

Flow Rate (Kirby) 853 CFS

Water Clarity Excellent

Kirby is running 853 cfs and 61.5°F, stable for weeks, and this is the best all-around water on the river right now. Hoppers are still getting eaten in the afternoons and the first fall baetis are showing on cloudy days. If you only fish one reach today, fish this one.

Full Upper Madison report

Lower Madison

Ennis Dam to Three Forks

Water Temp (McAllister) 57.4°F

Flow Rate (McAllister) 1,170 CFS

Water Clarity Good

Water temps have crashed back into prime territory, 57.2°F at 1170 cfs, and the Lower is officially back in play after its summer siesta. No hoot owl worries with numbers like that. The fall reopening of this reach is one of the better-kept secrets in the valley.

Full Lower Madison report

Plan Your Madison River Trip

Everything you need to make the most of your time on the water.

Fishing Seasons Guide

Month-by-month breakdown of what to expect on the Madison River. From winter midges to the salmonfly circus, know when to visit for your target species and hatches.

View Seasons

Hatch Chart & Fly Guide

Complete hatch calendar with specific fly patterns, sizes, and colors. Match the hatch with confidence using our detailed bug guide and proven pattern recommendations.

View Hatches

Access Points & Floats

Mile-by-mile guide to Madison River access points with GPS coordinates, parking info, and float trip planning. Find the perfect put-in for wade fishing or boat trips.

View Access

About Our Fishing Reports

The Madison River runs 183 miles from Yellowstone National Park to Three Forks, Montana. We monitor three distinct sections, each with its own gauge and its own report:

West Yellowstone: Madison Junction down to Hebgen Lake, inside Yellowstone National Park. Geothermally warmed by the Firehole, so it runs hot in midsummer. Park permit and fly-fishing-only rules apply, season dates vary by section, and it is best known for the fall run of browns and rainbows out of Hebgen.
Upper Madison: Hebgen Dam to Ennis Lake. Cold, clear freestone water with rainbow and brown trout. Home to the famous salmonfly hatch in late June.
Lower Madison: Ennis Dam tailwater to Three Forks, including Bear Trap Canyon. Shallow and slower, so it warms fast in summer and is often under hoot owl restrictions by August.

Each report pulls real-time data from USGS gauges and combines it with weather conditions, historical patterns, and seasonal hatch information to generate specific fly recommendations based on current conditions.

Check the reports daily before your trip. Conditions on the Madison can change quickly with weather fronts, dam releases, and seasonal transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often are Madison River fishing reports updated?

Our fishing reports update every 12 hours using real-time data from USGS water gauges combined with current weather conditions. Each report includes flow rates, water temperature, and recommended fly patterns.

Where does the Madison River fishing report data come from?

We pull data from three USGS gauges: Madison River near West Yellowstone (06037500) for the Yellowstone Park reach, Kirby Ranch (06038800) for the Upper Madison, and McAllister (06041000) for the Lower Madison. Our system combines the gauge readings with recent shop reports and historical hatch patterns to generate fly recommendations.

What flies should I use on the Madison River right now?

The current report card above lists specific patterns matched to today's flow and water temperature. Reliable year-round defaults: Pat's Rubberlegs #6-8 (subsurface workhorse), Zebra Midge #18-20 (winter and tail water), Chubby Chernobyl #4-6 (June–July salmonfly), Morrish Hopper #8-10 (mid-July through August), and Parachute Adams #14-20 (fall BWO). For full month-by-month patterns, see the Hatch Chart.

Flow and temperature data from USGS National Water Information System . Weather data from NOAA.