Madison River
Yellowstone National Park
NW Wyoming, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown and Rainbow.
Stream gauge: 06037500. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Madison at 400 cfs — down from recent highs but still above ideal. Water temp at 59°F puts us right on the cusp of major hatches. The park section remains closed until July 3, but lower sections are fishing well. Big Sky Anglers reports flows dropping across all sections after a week of cooler weather. Nymphing remains most consistent with #10-12 Rubber Legs and #16 Split Case PMDs producing. Watch for emerging PMDs and early Golden Stones as water warms.
- Flow: 400 cfs and dropping after peak runoff. Still high but fishable in lower sections. Park waters closed until July 3.
- Water Temp: 59°F — just crossed the Golden Stone threshold. PMD emergence imminent as temps climb toward 60°F.
- Hatches: Split Case PMDs producing subsurface. Golden Stones starting. Callibaetis active on Hebgen Lake.
- Best Window: Midday nymphing most consistent. Watch afternoon surface activity as PMDs begin emerging in warmest hours.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: July–Oct, peak Aug–Sept
Inside Yellowstone National Park, the Madison is formed at Madison Junction where the Firehole and Gibbon rivers converge. The river flows westward through a broad geyser-basin meadow before reaching West Yellowstone — a setting unlike anywhere else on earth. Trophy rainbows and large brown trout inhabit the river's clear, cold currents in a backdrop of bison and hot spring terraces. The fishery is catch-and-release only with barbless hooks required.
Fishing the Madison inside Yellowstone means sharing the meadow with bison herds that regularly cross the river — one of the most spectacular wildlife settings in American fly fishing.
January Outlook
The Madison in Yellowstone National Park is closed to fishing through July 3 — winter and spring months are inaccessible. The Firehole and Gibbon rivers (the Madison's sources) are also closed. Hebgen Lake outside the park provides winter stillwater fishing for large brown and rainbow trout during the shoulder season.
Productive Patterns
- Closed to fishing
Tips
The park Madison is closed January through July 2. Plan Hebgen Lake or the Wade/Lyons area of the lower Madison (outside the park) for early season options.
Water Notes
River closed. Geothermal influence from the Firehole keeps water unfrozen but regulated access.
February Outlook
Closed to fishing. The Yellowstone National Park closure protects this iconic resource through early summer.
Productive Patterns
- Closed to fishing
Tips
The lower Madison outside the park (Ennis to Three Forks) fishes well in winter — see Madison River entry.
Water Notes
River closed per YNP regulations.
March Outlook
Still closed. The park's famous Madison doesn't open until July 3. Outside the park, the non-park Madison is excellent in March with midge and BWO hatches.
Productive Patterns
- Closed to fishing
Tips
Target Hebgen Lake's inlet and outlet areas for large pre-spawn trout in March.
Water Notes
Closed. Hebgen Lake is producing excellent action in this period.
April Outlook
Closed through July 2. The spring months inside Yellowstone are closed to fishing — the closure protects spawning trout and allows natural reproduction. Spring wildflowers and abundant wildlife make the park spectacular even without fishing.
Productive Patterns
- Closed to fishing
Tips
Visit the park for the scenery in April — grizzlies emerging, bison calving. Plan your July fishing trip now.
Water Notes
Closed per YNP regulations.
May Outlook
Still closed through July 2. The lower Madison outside the park is in prime condition in May — PMDs, Caddis, and the first hoppers. Outside-park sections are 30 minutes from the West Yellowstone entrance.
Productive Patterns
- Closed to fishing
Tips
Fish the lower Madison near Ennis while waiting for the park to open July 3.
Water Notes
Closed. High flows from snowmelt on the non-park Madison.
June Outlook
One more month until the park Madison opens. Late June brings spectacular pre-opening scenery — wildflowers, bears, and bison everywhere. The Firehole and Gibbon are also still closed, but Slough Creek (a tributary to the Lamar) opens June 15.
Productive Patterns
- Closed to fishing
Tips
Scout the Madison Valley before opening day. Plan your entry on July 3 morning for the first day.
Water Notes
Closed until July 3. Flows beginning to drop from peak runoff.
July Outlook
The Madison inside Yellowstone National Park opens July 3 for the majority of the river. The river forms at Madison Junction where the Firehole meets the Gibbon — an otherworldly setting with bison grazing the meadows. Large brown and rainbow trout are the targets. PMDs and Caddis provide consistent afternoon and evening dry fly fishing.
Productive Patterns
- PMD Sparkle Dun
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Stimulator #12
- Pheasant Tail
Tips
The Madison Valley section between the campground and Baker's Hole is prime wade fishing. Fish the evening caddis hatch in the flat water. No bait fishing allowed — artificial flies only. Barbless hooks required throughout the park.
Water Notes
Regulated flows 200–500 cfs. Water 56–62°F. Excellent clarity. Access from the Madison Campground and numerous highway pullouts.
August Outlook
Prime hopper season on the park Madison. The open meadow character with elk and bison grazing creates textbook terrestrial fishing. Large browns attack hoppers along the grassy bank edges. Less pressure than outside-park sections as mid-summer crowds thin by late August.
Productive Patterns
- Dave's Hopper
- Chubby Chernobyl
- Parachute Ant
- PMD Cripple
Tips
Work the grassy bank edges carefully in the morning before tourist traffic peaks. The park closes certain sections if bison or bears are present — check current closures at the Madison Campground entrance. The Baker's Hole section above West Yellowstone is excellent.
Water Notes
200–500 cfs. Water 58–65°F. The Madison warms slowly in the park due to the geothermal influence of the Firehole. Fish early morning and evening on hot days.
September Outlook
Exceptional September fishing inside Yellowstone. BWO hatches, aggressive fish after the summer tourist season, and dramatic scenery with elk bugling in the meadows. The river transitions to fall character with brown trout becoming more dominant and aggressive.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Winged Olive
- Hopper
- Streamer
- PMD
Tips
September crowds thin significantly after Labor Day. Park regulations remain strict — barbless flies, catch-and-release. The meadow section is extraordinary on a crisp September morning with fall colors beginning. Fish the tailouts and slow inside bends for the largest fish.
Water Notes
150–400 cfs. Water 52–60°F. Crystal clarity in fall. Low and clear requires careful approach — wade in the river rather than along the bank.
October Outlook
October fishing on the park Madison before the early November closure. Brown trout spawning activity as large fish move from Hebgen Lake up into the river. Streamer fishing is exceptional in October for the largest fish of the year.
Productive Patterns
- Articulated Streamer
- Woolly Bugger
- Egg Pattern
- Blue Winged Olive
Tips
October is the best month for large fish on the park Madison. Browns moving from Hebgen Lake are aggressive and territorial. Swing streamers through the pools above Baker's Hole. Respect spawning fish on visible redds.
Water Notes
100–300 cfs. Very clear and cold. Large fish staging from Hebgen Lake visible in the clear water. River typically open through early November.
November Outlook
The park Madison closes for the season by early November. The season end date varies by section — check current YNP fishing regulations. Late October through early November can provide excellent streamer fishing for large lake-run browns before the closure.
Productive Patterns
- Articulated Streamer
- Egg Pattern
- BWO (if open)
Tips
Confirm current season closure dates at the park entrance. Once closed, the non-park Madison near Ennis fishes through November.
Water Notes
Closing by early November. Very cold water, approaching 40°F. River inaccessible after closure.
December Outlook
Closed for the season. Yellowstone's Madison is at rest through the winter. The ecosystem processes undisturbed — a critical part of what makes this river extraordinary.
Productive Patterns
- Closed to fishing
Tips
Winter visits to Yellowstone (snowcoach or snowshoe access) provide wolf, bison, and elk watching near the Madison Valley.
Water Notes
Closed. Winter conditions with ice possible along banks.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis tricaudatus |
Sep, Oct | Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | #18–22 |
|
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella inermis |
Jul | Jul, Aug | #16–18 |
|
| Caddis Brachycentrus spp. |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
Access & Approach
Access from US-191 and the Madison Junction pullout within the park. A valid Yellowstone National Park pass is required. No fishing in the thermal basin above Madison Junction. Season runs July 3 through early November. Wading only — no floating permitted.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Blue Ribbon Flies
- Madison River Outfitters
- Big Sky Anglers
- Parks' Fly Shop
- Henry's Fork Anglers
- TroutHunt
Regulations & License
Fishing in Wyoming requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Wyoming 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.
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