Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
6/6/2025
Walk Wade Stretch (Between the Lakes, Upriver of Lyon's Bridge, Downriver of Ennis):
Flows on the Madison have dropped recently as the dam release has slowed down a lot recently to get Hebgen Lake nice and full for the summer time. Between the lakes, Beaver Creek, and Cabin Creek are adding some sediment to the water but dam release flows have been low and the water is very much wadeable currently. You can check flows at the dam by clicking this link. In the walk wade stretches above the West Fork of the Madison the water is a wonderful clear-green color. The West Fork really isn't adding that much murky water to the mix and the entire river is very much fishable.
Down low on The Upper Madison River, near Ennis the weather has been warm and water temps should be getting warm enough for some insect hatches to start, as this weekend warms up be on the lookout for Caddis, Yellow Sallies, and March Browns. This time of year there is a lot of bug activity so throwing suggestive fly patterns that are "buggy" can help a lot when it comes to getting fish in the net. Occasionally there can be a great hatch going on but the fish aren't focused on the surface so throwing nymphs like Hare's Ears, Pheasant Tails, and Prince Nymphs in a variety of colors and sizes can get a lot of action because they mimic multiple different insects.
Streamer fishing is a great option especially with the murkier water. When there's good cloud cover, the streamer fishing, as well as the dry fly fishing, will be very productive because those fish are more willing to move out of protected areas to go feed. Clouds mean comfortable trout, and even if it is raining you should be fishing!
Float Stretch(Downriver of Lyon's Bridge to Ennis):
All ramps are accessible.
The current color and clarity of water in pretty much the entirety of the float designated section of the Upper Madison River is fishing incredibly well. Streamers have been the favorite method to find fish lately. When we say favorite, we mean you and your friends should go throw some streamers because the streamer bite has been gangster!
Blue Winged Olives, Midges, and March Browns have been hatching in the upper sections and can give some good dry fly fishing opportunities. Over this last weekend there were even a few caddis showing up. Dry fly activity is in the early stages of starting and it is starting to feel like summer. If you see a fish eat your bobber while your nymphing, go ahead and switch to a dry fly, using a small (size 16-18) Chubby Chernobyl or Micro Chubby will get you a surface eat. Get out and throw a dry fly, it's cool, no one can convince us it's not!
If you are not seeing those smaller bugs emerge, using Midge, Caddis larvae, Yellow Sally and Mayfly nymphs will get plenty of attention. We have been liking a Worm, Leech, or Rubber Legs as our second fly to a smaller nymph. Using mayfly patterns like a Psycho May, Little Green Machine, or Olive Hotspot Perdigon have produced great results all day. With the current water levels the fish have not been challenging to find, just float where the most water is and you will find some trout no matter what section of the float stretch you are in.
Dries: Missing Link (Olive, Yellow) #16, Royal Wulff #12-16, Guide Winna Spinna BWO #18, Captive Dun BWO #18-20, Hi-Vis Parachute Adams #14-18, Garcia's Mini Hot Mayfly(Purple) #16-18, Micro-Chubby(Black, Purple) #18
Nymphs:$3 Dip(Black, Red, Copper) #16-20, Prince Nymph #14-16, Sexy Walt's Worm (Hotrib, olive, Gold) #16, Olive or Pearl Perdigon #16-18, Olive Hotspot Perdigon #16-18, Lightning Bugs #16-20, Lite Brite Perdigon (Green) #14-18, Pat's Rubber Legs #10-14
Streamers:Sex Dungeons, Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnows and Zonkers will move fish for you. Play with color and profile every day. Skinny vs. big heads, dark vs. light, etc. Don't be afraid to throw a streamer under your indicator and dead drift it!
New to the Madison? We have guides with 40 plus years of experience fishing the Madison ready to share their knowledge with you. We offer full-day float and walk-wade trips on the Madison River. Don’t need a guide? We have the flies and info to help you be successful on a DIY mission.
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Thanks for checking out our Madison River Fishing Report brought to you from Big Sky, MT.
