Lower Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 06/20/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Lower Madison River continues to fish well now that we are in post-runoff mode. Flows are holding steady around 1800 CFS and the water color is in great shape, too. Water temperatures are on the climb, so anglers are finding the best success in the mornings and early afternoons.
Dry fly fishing has been solid with brown drakes, PMD’s, and yellow sallies - especially on overcast days when hatch activity is at its best.
The Brown Drake spinner fall is making for some fun evenings between Warm Springs and Black’s Ford, particularly along slower seams near the weed beds. Dry fly anglers will want to target riffles and transition zones with a variety of fly patterns, as fish are feeding opportunistically throughout these mid-season hatches.
Tandem nymph rigs under a strike indicator have been solid throughout the day. Our Bozeman fly fishing guides have been sticking to the basics like crayfish imitations, yellow sally nymphs, small caddis and PMD nymphs.
Conditions are difficult to predict; one tool that our Bozeman fly fishing guides rely on is NOAA's Norris Hill weather station. If it's really blowing there, it's likely blowing pretty good out on the lower as well - but that isn't always the case as that station is located at the top of Norris Pass. It's worth checking out, though, so that you can come up with a plan B if it turns out to be too windy once you hit Black's Ford.
Helpful Articles (click to read):
- Lower Madison River Fly Fishing in June
- Guide to Fly Fishing the Lower Madison River
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan Clouser
Olive Clouser Crayfish
Copper Zonker
Hare's Ear Guides Choice
PMD Crackback
Iron Sally
PMD Comparadun
Brown Drake Challenged
Lower Madison River Fishing
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.
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