Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 12/15/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Upper Madison River has been a great option lately with the recent stretch of mild weather. The river is clear and in good shape, and anglers have been finding the best fishing from late morning into the afternoon. Most sections are still open and easy to fish right now.
Nymphing has been the main focus. Rubberlegs and smaller stonefly patterns have been good lead flies, with zebra midges, pheasant tails, and slim perdigons working well behind them. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 3X or 4X is a solid setup. Making sure your flies are getting down to the right depth has mattered more than changing patterns.
Fish have been holding in the deeper water with a steady flow. Spending time in those areas has been more effective than moving quickly or fishing shallow sections, which haven’t produced much lately.
Streamer fishing is still worth mixing in during the warmer part of the day. Smaller sculpin-style or baitfish patterns have moved some fish when worked through deeper runs. A shorter leader of 5–6 feet of heavier fluorocarbon helps keep those flies under control.
Dry-fly activity has been very limited. A few midges are around, but rising fish have been uncommon.
Overall, the Upper Madison River remains a good winter option. Focus on the warmest hours of the day, fish the deeper water thoroughly, and keep your setups simple.
Additional Resources:
- Upper Madison River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Purple Blowtorch
Red Copper John
Black Zebra Midge
Gold Lightning Bug
Spanish Bullet Tan
Rainbow Warrior Jig
Purple Psycho Prince
Upper Madison River Fishing
The Fins and Feathers "Upper Madison River Fishing Guide" features a comprehensive overview of the river stretches and seasonal highlights with Madison River fishing tips from our Bozeman fly fishing guide staff.
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