Lower Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 08/13/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Lower Madison River has been fishing well in the mornings. Hoot owl restrictions remain in place from Warm Springs down to the confluence with the Jefferson, which means the river is closed from 2 p.m. to midnight. Afternoon water temps have been climbing past safe levels, so plan to be off the water well before the cutoff, both for the law and for the health of the fish.
Hopper dropper rigs have been the most consistent, with general attractors and smaller hoppers getting some action along the banks and mid river. Fishing patterns like chubby chernobyls, water walkers, and morrish hoppers up top with a blaze or olive infernogon tied 16 to 18 inches below. Fishing a 9 foot 4x tapered leader to the lead fly and 5x fluorocarbon to the dropper.
Nymphing in the morning has been steady. Running a natural colored zirdle, light colored clouser cray, or red wire worm as the lead fly to a black Spanish bullet, butano lite brite, or PMG style jig perdigon below. Fishing with a 7.5 foot tapered leader of 4x to 4x fluorcabon tippet on the dropper, adjusting depth with the indicator in buckets and drop offs.
Afternoons are predictably quiet, and that’s not just because you can’t fish them. Even if you could, the combination of warm water, blazing sun, and heavy recreational traffic slows trout activity to a crawl. If you’re looking for longer fishing windows and cooler conditions, the Upper Madison or higher-elevation freestones are better bets until September temperatures start to cool down the Lower.
Boat ramps and pull-outs have been busy, so an early start is necessary to fish before the tubers show up and the temps spikes.
Helpful Articles (click to read):
- Lower Madison River Fly Fishing in August
- Bozeman Fly Fishing in August
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Golden Thunder Thigh Hopper
Dave's Hopper
Purple Chubby Chernobyl
Olive and Orange Zirdle
Orange Wire Worm
Spanish Bullet Tan
Blaze Infernogon
Dead Drift Crayfish
Tan Clouser
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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