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.

Upper & Lower Madison • Updated Twice Daily

Daily Fishing Report

Monday, April 27, 2026

Live Data

Updated 2:28 PM EDT

Upper Madison

Hebgen Dam to Ennis Lake

Water Temp (Kirby)N/A

Flow Rate (Kirby)N/A

Water ClarityTypically clear

Reports refresh every 12 hours from USGS gauge 06038800 (Kirby Ranch). Typical Upper Madison summer flows run 900-1,400 CFS with water temperatures of 50-65°F. Wade fishing is best at 800-1,100 CFS.

For seasonal hatch timing and fly selection by month, see the Hatch Chart and Fishing Seasons Guide.

Recommended Patterns

Pat's Rubberlegs #6-8Chubby Chernobyl #6-8Zebra Midge #18-20Elk Hair Caddis #14-16

Lower Madison

Ennis Dam to Three Forks

Water Temp (McAllister)N/A

Flow Rate (McAllister)N/A

Water ClarityTypically clear

Reports refresh every 12 hours from USGS gauge 06041000 (McAllister). The Lower Madison runs 200-400 CFS higher than the Upper due to tributary inflows. Year-round fishing below Ennis Dam.

Lower Madison can hit 70°F+ in late August. Fish before 10 AM or after 6 PM if water exceeds 65°F. See How to Read Flow Data for thresholds.

Recommended Patterns

Sparkle Minnow #6Zebra Midge #18-20Pheasant Tail #14-18Woolly Bugger #6-10

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 140 miles from Yellowstone National Park to Three Forks, Montana. We monitor two distinct sections:

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. Colder flows create a different fishery with earlier hatches and year-round fishing opportunities.

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 USGS gauges at Kirby Ranch (Upper Madison) and near Three Forks (Lower Madison). Weather data comes from NOAA stations near West Yellowstone and Ennis. Our system combines this data with 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.