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

Friday, September 18, 2026

Live Data

Updated Sep 17, 7:02 PM MDT

West Yellowstone

Yellowstone Park to Hebgen Lake

Water Temp (West Yellowstone) 58.1°F

Flow Rate (West Yellowstone) 309 CFS

Water Clarity Excellent

The fall run has started. The first push of browns and rainbows out of Hebgen is in the water between Baker's Hole and Cable Car Run, though bright skies have kept numbers modest and the fish that are in have gone stale. At 296 cfs the river is skinny and clear, so fish the first and last two hours of light, and if a cloudy day shows up, drop everything and go.

Full West Yellowstone report

Upper Madison

Hebgen Dam to Ennis Lake

Water Temp (Kirby) 55°F

Flow Rate (Kirby) 886 CFS

Water Clarity Excellent

Cold, clean water top to bottom. Kirby is running 853 cfs at 59°F, flows have been stable for two weeks, and hoot owl came off the lower end earlier this month. Fishing is honest work right now, a dawn streamer bite, hoppers and ants through the afternoon, and a lull in between, but the fish that eat are good ones.

Full Upper Madison report

Lower Madison

Ennis Dam to Three Forks

Water Temp (McAllister) 58.5°F

Flow Rate (McAllister) 1,160 CFS

Water Clarity Good

The Lower is back. Water temps have crashed to 58.1°F at 1140 cfs, hoot owl came off August 31, and this reach is fishable all day for the first time since early July. Weed growth from the hot summer is heavy, so pick your water, but the crayfish and hopper fishing between the weed lines is worth the trip.

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.