Madison River
Between the Lakes · West Yellowstone
SW Montana, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown and Rainbow.
Stream gauge: 06037100. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 05/29/26
At 103 cfs, the Madison between the lakes is fishing beautifully despite shops reporting flows jumped 200+ cfs systemwide this week from snowmelt. Water temp hit 57.9°F — prime for caddis emergence and BWO activity during midday warming windows. Big Sky Anglers notes conditions bumped up but remain fishable. Focus on the long flats with extended leaders as big browns sit shallow in this clear, low water. Weekend weather turns wet and cold, so get out Thursday before the front moves through.
- Flow: 103 cfs — pristine wading despite recent snowmelt bump. Shops report 200+ cfs increases elsewhere but Between the Lakes remains ideal.
- Hatches: Caddis firing with 57.9°F water temp. BWOs during midday windows 11am-2pm. Chironomids active on Hebgen per Madison River Outfitters.
- Water Temp: 57.9°F — perfect for caddis emergence. Just crossed the key 55°F threshold that triggers consistent Hydropsyche activity.
- Best Window: Thursday before weather turns. Weekend brings rain/snow and 40°F highs. Fish midday for BWOs, evenings for caddis.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Tailwater
- Best months: May–Oct, peak June–July & Sept–Oct
The stretch between Hebgen and Quake Lakes is a classic tailwater-influenced freestone — steady flows, cold clear water, and exceptional dry fly fishing. Nicknamed 'between the lakes,' this section offers phenomenal sight fishing to rising fish in the long flat meadow glides. Brown and rainbow trout are the primary quarry, with fish that are selective but rewarding.
'Between the Lakes' is one of the few big western rivers where wading anglers routinely cast to 20+ inch fish rising in open flat water.
January Outlook
Cold and quiet, but the lake-regulated flows keep this section ice-free. Midge fishing on the warmest midday hours. The deep pools below Quake Lake hold concentrated fish throughout winter.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- RS2
- Mercury Midge
- Juju Baetis
Tips
Target the warmest 2-hour window around noon. Fish stack deep — indicator nymph rigs with weight. Tiny midge patterns in #22–24. The section stays open all winter.
Water Notes
Regulated 400–600 cfs from Hebgen Dam. Very stable. Rarely freezes below Quake Lake. Water 36–42°F.
February Outlook
February on the upper Madison rewards dedicated winter anglers. Midging in the deep pools as days begin to lengthen. The first hints of BWO can appear on the warmest afternoons.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- WD-40
- Juju Baetis
- RS2
Tips
A two-midge rig in different sizes is the standard approach. Fish the slow pools directly below Quake Lake where fish stack at depth. Watch for subtle rises on warm afternoons.
Water Notes
400–600 cfs. Clear and stable. Ice forms on edges but main channel stays open. Water 36–44°F.
March Outlook
Early BWO and midge action on mild afternoons. Large aggressive rainbows and browns in the deep pools. Less pressure than the lower river.
Productive Patterns
- RS2
- Zebra Midge
- Sparkle Dun #18
- Juju Baetis
Tips
Deep runs below Quake Lake hold stacked fish. Dead-drift nymphs through obvious slots. Fish are visible in clear water — approach slowly.
Water Notes
Regulated flows 400–800 cfs from Hebgen Dam. Very stable. Water 40–48°F.
April Outlook
Often the best-fishing stretch in Montana when other rivers are in runoff. Skwala activity and exceptional conditions protected by Hebgen Lake.
Productive Patterns
- Skwala Stone
- Hare's Ear
- Sparkle Dun
- Soft Hackle
Tips
Walk the banks looking for rising fish before setting up. Skwalas crawl on rocks in the morning. Long flat sections tailor-made for sight fishing.
Water Notes
400–700 cfs. Exceptional clarity. Fully protected from runoff by lake regulation.
May Outlook
PMD and Caddis activity. World-class spring fishing. Less crowded than the Ennis section with equally large fish.
Productive Patterns
- PMD Sparkle Dun
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Pheasant Tail
- Soft Hackle Emerger
Tips
Fish the long flats carefully — big fish in shallow water spook easily. Long leaders and light tippet essential.
Water Notes
500–900 cfs. Ideal wading. Good footing on gravel bottom.
June Outlook
PMDs, Golden Stones, and caddis. Excellent before summer crowds arrive on the lower sections.
Productive Patterns
- Golden Stone
- PMD
- Caddis
- Stimulator
Tips
Access from highway pullouts — best water a short walk from road. Riffles produce consistent surface action. Fish flat water below riffles for selective risers.
Water Notes
600–1,000 cfs. Clear cold water 52–58°F. One of the last sections to warm up.
July Outlook
Outstanding hopper-dropper fishing. Meadow character with grassy undercut banks — perfect terrestrial water.
Productive Patterns
- Chubby Chernobyl
- Hopper
- PMD Cripple
- Beadhead Nymph
Tips
Bite improves significantly after 9am as water warms from the cold lake overnight. Afternoon hopper fishing along cut banks is the signature experience.
Water Notes
600–900 cfs. Crystal clear from Hebgen Lake. Water 58–65°F.
August Outlook
Peak hopper season on one of Montana's finest terrestrial sections. Trico spinner falls in calm early morning pools.
Productive Patterns
- Dave's Hopper
- Chubby Chernobyl
- Parachute Ant
- Trico Spinner
Tips
Textbook Trico spinner falls in calm pools above Quake Lake at first light. Transition to hoppers by 9am. Best water away from the road — walk to it.
Water Notes
550–800 cfs. Coldest section in August — a benefit for trout health during heat waves.
September Outlook
Exceptional. Consistent BWO hatches, willing fish, and pressure drops after Labor Day. One of Montana's finest September stretches.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Winged Olive
- Hopper
- Streamer
- PMD
Tips
Post-Labor Day fishing is a genuine treat. Fish have less pressure and are back in feeding mode. Hopper and BWO fishing depending on conditions.
Water Notes
500–750 cfs. Perfect clarity. Water 52–60°F.
October Outlook
Large browns move from Hebgen Lake into the river to spawn. Produces some of the largest fish of the year on streamers.
Productive Patterns
- Articulated Streamer
- Woolly Bugger
- Large Nymph
- Egg Pattern
Tips
Fish large streamers on sink-tip lines along banks and in deeper pools. Browns staging for the spawn are territorial and aggressive.
Water Notes
400–600 cfs. Coldest, clearest conditions. Big fish highly visible — approach carefully.
November Outlook
Possible on the warmest days. Regulated flows stay open through winter. Limited daylight and cold temps make it specialized.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- RS2
- Juju Baetis
- Soft Hackle
Tips
Target midday warmth window. Deep runs below Quake Lake hold concentrations of fish. Small nymph rigs fish effectively even in very cold water.
Water Notes
400–600 cfs. Hebgen ice-out keeps the section open through winter.
December Outlook
December midge fishing on the upper Madison is specialized but rewarding. Fewer anglers than any other Montana river section. The cold, regulated flows support year-round fish populations.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- RS2
- Mercury Midge
- WD-40
Tips
Bundle up and fish the noon–2pm window. Park at the highway pullouts and fish the accessible runs. This section rarely sees December pressure — fish are undisturbed and catchable.
Water Notes
400–600 cfs. Coldest of the year, 34–40°F. Ice on banks but main flows open.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skwala Stonefly Skwala parallela |
Apr | Mar, Apr | #8–10 |
|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis tricaudatus |
Apr, Oct | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | #18–22 |
|
| Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica |
Jul | Jun, Jul | #4–8 |
|
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica |
Jul | Jun, Jul, Aug | #8–12 |
|
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella inermis |
Jul, Aug | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #16–18 |
|
| Caddis Hydropsyche / Brachycentrus spp. |
Jul, Aug | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | #14–18 |
|
| Yellow Sally Isoperla / Chloroperlidae |
Jul | Jun, Jul, Aug | #12–16 |
|
| Hoppers Acrididae / Tettigoniidae |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #8–12 |
|
Access & Approach
Raynolds Pass and several roadside pullouts provide walk-in wade access. Float options limited. Free public access throughout.
Nearby Fly Shops
- The Tackle Shop
- Big Sky Anglers
- Madison River Outfitters
- Blue Ribbon Flies
- TroutHunt
- Henry's Fork Anglers
Regulations & License
Fishing in Montana requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Montana fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Madison River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Madison River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
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