Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 01/19/2025
Posted by: Toby Swank
Still very cold around Ennis Montana this week, single digit temps right now but a few days over freezing later in the week. If you're willing to battle the cold conditions there is still some fishing to be had on Montana’s Upper Madison River.
No need to get out there early as fish will be less active until the water temps warm up a bit. The fly menu remains the same, small bugs have been getting the most love. Try setting up your nymph stick with a small Rubber Leg as your top fly dropping down to a small Zebra Midge or dark Perdigon. Focus your angling on the slow deep runs, inside bends usually hold good numbers of fish.
Once things warm up again there could be some Midge hatch action up by Three Dollar Bridge and Reynolds Pass.
Please note that regulations changed in 2024, and all lures and flies must be barbless when fishing downstream of Varney Bridge.
Click to enlarge
Flows
1010 CFS
On 2025-1-19
Black Zebra Midge
Poxyback Golden Stone
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Natrual Sculpzilla
Experience Montana fly fishing on the upper Madison River with the Bozeman MT fly fishing guides from Fins and Feathers. We have been outfitting fly fishing in Montana for over two decades on the Madison River.
Novice and first-time anglers fishing the Madison can expect a day full of fly fishing learning experiences surrounded by the spectacular landscape of Southwest Montana.
Expert anglers know that the river holds legendary Brown Trout that will slowly rise to a well-presented dry fly or chase down a quick-stripped sculpin pattern while streamer fly fishing.
- $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, Ennis, or at launch sites
- Book Online or Contact Us To Learn More
Upper Madison River Fishing
The Madison River is widely regarded as the premier Montana fly-fishing river. It originates in Yellowstone National Park at the point where the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers meet. The river flows northwards and merges with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers to eventually form the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana.
The upper Madison River is the stretch between the outlet of Quake Lake and the mouth of Ennis Lake. The river is an incredibly productive and unique blue-ribbon trout fishery with wild Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Brown Trout populations.
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.
