Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 03/22/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
We have a great weather window coming to Ennis Montana. To finish the weekend it's a little colder with rain in the forecast on Sunday. By mid next week temps will be hanging in the sixties. This spike in temperature should make for some solid fishing on the Upper Madison River. Nymph and streamer fishing should be hot and we should see some good Midge hatches around Three Dollar Bridge if some clouds roll in.
The nymph menu remains the same, a Pat’s Rubber Leg or a red Worm make for great lead flies. For our dropper nymphs we have been doing well with 3 Dollar Dips, Zebra Midges, and small Perdigons. If the streamer game is calling your name try slow stripping a Mini Sex Dungeon, Sculpzilla, or a Peanut Envy.
Please note that regulations changed in 2024, and all lures and flies must be barbless when fishing downstream of Varney Bridge.
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Black Zebra Midge
Poxyback Golden Stone
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Gray Sprout Midge
Madison River Fishing Trips
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.
