Lower Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 06/30/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Lower Madison River has been fishing well in early mornings to midafternoons. Currently around 1200 CFS below Ennis Lake in McAllister this means as the day heats up water temps are going to make for challenging afternoons. The lower is still a great option for the time being for those looking to get on the water early and be off before or at noon.
Bug activity can start to heat up once the sun hits the water, anglers may see caddis, golden stones, PMD’s, and yellow sallies throughout the day. Still providing opportunities for anglers to target fish feeding on smaller dries in shady overhangs or in riffles along the bank.
Nymphing with standard attractor patterns like Frenchie’s, Spanish Bullets, Caddis Pupa imitations, or smaller Perdigons tied 16-18 inches below a larger crayfish or worm pattern are going to be most effective for pulling fish out of buckets where fish reside during the rivers natural summer flow state. Throwing larger patterns like Chubby Chernobyl’s and Water Walker’s with a smaller crayfish or attractor nymph a few feet below is also an option for anglers looking to try and pickup a few or more fish on dries throughout the day.
On overcast days and in the mornings throwing streamers has been providing a few larger fish for our Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides trying to target some of the larger more aggressive fish that tend to not feed as many times a day or later in the afternoons when things heat up. Patterns like the Mini Sex Dungeon, Baby Gonga, and Single Hook Sparkle Minnow have smaller baitfish profiles that are easier to cast and provide a more delicate presentation, allowing anglers to get upper hand on tricking the big ones.
The Lower Madison is not currently under any Hoot Owl restrictions but over the next few weeks the river is going to quickly warm up throughout the day advising that anglers keep a close eye on FWP’s current waterbody restrictions if they are planning on doing an evening float or head out there late afternoon after 2pm.
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 July
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan Clouser
Olive Clouser Crayfish
Copper Zonker
Hare's Ear Guides Choice
Frenchie
PMD Comparadun
PMD CDC Emerger
Sparkle Minnow
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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