Lower Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 07/24/2024
Posted by: Toby Swank
With the recent heat wave, the lower Madison river from Ennis Dam to the headwaters of the Missouri River has been placed on Hoot-Owl, this means that fishing is closed starting at 2 pm until 12 am. Going early in the morning is the best when water temperatures are the coolest. Check out Montana FWP's website for the most updated information regarding restrictions in the area.
Fishing the lower Madison River is best in the early morning hours when water temperatures are at their lowest of the day.
Our Bozeman fly fishing guides opt for 6 am launch times near Warm Springs FAS with plans to be off the water between 1-2 pm from now through August.
Dry fly fishing with searching patterns like Chubby Chernobyl or Hopper patterns consistently produces some nice Brown Trout during the morning hours. We like to add a small Perdigon as a dropper - 3-4’ below – and focus on the deep, faster runs and buckets.
Click to enlarge
Flows
1750 CFS
On 2024-7-24
Olive Clouser Crayfish
Purple Chubby Chernobyl
Tan Morrish Hopper
Blaze Infernogon
Montana fly fishing trips on the lower Madison River with the Bozeman fly fishing guides of Fins and Feathers are terrific experiences for both advanced and novice anglers. We have been guiding anglers fishing the lower Madison River for over two decades.
Early season highlights for the experienced angler fishing near Bozeman include afternoon dry fly fishing and all-day nymph fishing. Don’t miss the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch in late April or the Brown Drake hatch in mid-June.
Novice and first-time anglers do well on the lower Madison River in early summer and fall when fish activity is at its best.
- $695 for 1 or 2 Anglers Per Guide
- Float Trips With Wading Opportunities
- Use of All Fishing Equipment Is Included
- Single And Multi-Day Trip Bookings Available
- Meet In Bozeman
- Book Online or Contact Us To Learn More
Lower Madison River Fishing
The lower Madison River has diverse wild-trout habitats from Ennis Lake to Three Forks. Beartrap Canyon has raging whitewater through boulder fields and narrow gorges. The river flows through a rugged valley before joining with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers. Fish species include Rainbow, Westslope Cutthroat, and Brown Trout. Both novice and advanced anglers can find ample opportunities to fish.
Read the "Lower Madison River Fishing Guide" for a comprehensive introduction to fly fishing in Montana on the lower Madison River from the Bozeman fly fishing guides with Fins and Feathers.