Lower Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 01/19/2025
Posted by: Toby Swank
Things are still very chilly around the Lower Madison River with single digit temps. Looks like mid next week there are some slightly better days with temps in the mid 30s. With cold water temps your best bet is nymph fishing in the afternoons.
It's very important to focus your fishing on the slow deep holes as fish are getting lethargic with the cold water temps. Try fishing a red worm dropping to a small dark Perdigon or Midge nymph. Add some split shot above your lead fly to make sure your rig is getting down quickly. Look for the deep blue water on the inside bends and out in the middle.
Conditions are difficult to predict this time of year as it can be calm, here in Bozeman and ripping windy out there. One tool we use is NOAA's Norris Hill weather station. If its's really blowing there, its likley 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.
Click to enlarge
Flows
1280 CFS
On 2025-1-19
Red San Juan Worm
Black Zebra Midge
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Olive Micro May
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.