Lower Madison River Fishing Report

Date: 10/29/2026

Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

The Lower Madison River has been fishing really well lately and remains one of the better options around Bozeman. With water temperatures dropping into the low 40s, late morning through the afternoon has been the best time to get out. Fish have been holding in the shallow pockets earlier in the day before moving into deeper buckets as things warm up.

Crayfish patterns and smaller baetis nymphs have been producing consistently. A zirdle or crayfish pattern trailed by a size 18 baetis is a good setup to start with. If you're not getting eats, adjust your depth before changing flies. Fish are moving around this time of year, so keep covering water until you find them.

Streamers are worth fishing when the clouds roll in, especially olive and sculpin patterns worked along deeper runs and weed edges. There are still some blue-winged olives coming off on cloudy afternoons, with fish rising in the slower water. Keep a few BWO dries in sizes 18–20 handy, but nymphing is still the safest bet for consistent action.

Brown trout are getting into their spawning season, so watch for redds when wading and avoid walking through spawning areas.

Helpful Articles (click to read):

- October Fly Fishing in Bozeman, MT.

Stream Flows

View stream flow graph on USGS

Recommended Flies