Upper Madison River Fishing Report

Date: 10/19/2026

Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

The Upper Madison River has gotten better this week, although some stretches have been more consistent than others. The lower portions of the river around Ennis have been some of the better options, with good fishing also being reported farther upstream. Water conditions are low and clear, and the cooler temperatures have fish beginning to settle into their fall holding water. Late morning through the afternoon has generally been a good time to be on the water.

Nymphing continues to be one of the more reliable ways to catch fish. Pat's rubberlegs, smaller baetis nymphs, zebra midges, and perdigons have all been good options. Fishing a larger stonefly or sculpin pattern followed by a smaller mayfly nymph is a good place to start. Fish are beginning to move into deeper, slower water, but don't overlook the shallower riffles where some good fish are still being caught.

Streamer fishing has also been good. Smaller olive, black, and yellow streamers have been getting attention, with cloudy conditions generally offering some of the better opportunities. Blue-winged olives have been coming off as well, and anglers are finding fish rising during afternoon hatches. Small BWO patterns in sizes 18–22 are worth having, although dry fly fishing has been inconsistent from one day to the next.

Overall, the Upper Madison is a good option right now. Brown trout are beginning to spawn, so anglers should be mindful of redds and avoid disturbing spawning fish.

Additional Resources:

- October Fly Fishing in Bozeman, MT.

Stream Flows

View stream flow graph on USGS

Recommended Flies