Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Date: 01/05/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Upper Madison River continues to be one of the more dependable winter rivers right now. As a tailwater, it has stayed open and clear, and ice has not been a major issue. Wind has been common, but when conditions allow, fishing has lined up best from late morning through the afternoon.
Fishing below the surface has been where most of the success has come from. Stonefly-style nymphs and rubberlegs have been solid choices up front, with zebra midges, pheasant tails, and small perdigons trailing behind. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 3X or 4X has worked well for most setups. Making sure flies are getting down has mattered more than fine-tuning patterns.
Trout have been holding in slower, deeper sections where they can sit comfortably without expending much energy. Taking your time and fishing those areas thoroughly has been more effective than covering a lot of ground. Faster water hasn’t produced much lately.
Streamer fishing has been inconsistent and largely dependent on conditions lining up. It’s still an option if you want to change things up, but it hasn’t matched the consistency of nymphing.
Dry-fly opportunities have been minimal. Midges are present, but surface activity has been short-lived and sporadic.
Overall, the Upper Madison River remains a good winter choice. A later start, a straightforward nymph rig, and a focus on deeper water have been the most reliable way to approach it right now.
Additional Resources:
- Upper Madison River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Parachute Adams
Gray Sprout Midge
Rainbow Warrior Jig
Black Zebra Midge
Gold Lightning Bug
Spanish Bullet Tan
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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