The Lower Madison River is a great destination for fly fishing in Montana during the winter. Snow doesn't accumulate much along the riverbanks and the river rarely freezes. Located just a short drive from Bozeman, a quick fly fishing outing here is convenient during the short, winter days in Montana.
The lower Madison begins below Ennis Lake Dam, flowing through the Beartrap Canyon on its way to form the Missouri River at its confluence with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers. The upper stretches of the Beartrap Canyon can be accessed below Ennis Lake or from trails going upstream from the bottom of the canyon.
Water flows fast through the canyon, with lots of boulders, buckets, and deeper runs providing anglers with endless fly fishing opportunities. Just below the dam, the river generally stays free of slush and anchor ice even during the coldest days.
From Warm Springs fishing access to Three Forks, the river widens and straightens. This part of the river is challenging for most anglers as it lacks the typical riffle, run, and pool character encountered on most Montana fly fishing rivers.
When fly fishing the Lower Madison, look for buckets, ledges, and the runs between weed beds. Don't forget to explore holding water in the middle of the river too. Once you find a fish, try to cover the surrounding water thoroughly as trout congregate in productive winter lies as water temperatures plummet.
Nymph fishing is the most reliable fly fishing method during the winter months. Crayfish patterns and San Juan Worms are typical lead flies, followed with small midges or egg patterns as droppers. Added weight placed 12”-18” above the first fly will help slow the drift and keep your flies close to the bottom. A good “dead drift” is essential for winter success for anglers fishing the lower Madison River.
Midges hatch between October and April, with the best months being February and March. The hatch starts late morning on mild, overcast days. Watch for rising fish along the shallow banks and current seams next to rocks and structure. Midge cluster patterns like a Griffith’s Gnat fished on a 9’ leader with 5X tippet will typically fool a steadily rising Madison River trout during the winter.
Check out our Montana fishing reports before you head out to the lower Madison River. Late winter can be a great time to get in a day of fishing while on a ski vacation.
Fins and Feathers Guide Service has been outfitting Montana fly fishing trips on the lower Madison River for over 23 years. We have discounted off-season rates for guided trips during the winter months when weather and conditions permit.
Throughout winter, Midges become a heavily targeted food source for trout in SouthWest Montana. These tiny insects appear in great numbers in the surrounding area and can provide exciting angling...
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