Madison River Fishing Reports

AUGUST 2023  UPDATED 8/24/2023  We’re approaching the end of August and things are starting to heat up. The annual Ennis Fly Fishing & Outdoor Festival is returning to town this weekend on August 26th & 28th. We’re proud to be...

AUGUST 2023 UPDATED 8/03/2023  Fishing on the Upper remains solid, if somewhat unpredictable. Rainy cool weather this week has given us and the fish a reprieve from the full sun and 90 degree days we’ve faced for most of July. The...

JULY 2023 UPDATED 7/27/2023  We’re entering the final days of July and there’s mixed reports left, right, upside-down and sideways. As Robert wrote much finer than I could, “Heard some say better run away - others say you better stand still”....

JULY 2023UPDATED 7/13/2023 Summer is in full swing, and July is bringing clear skies and a break from the rain. The Lower Madison River has recently been subjected to hoot owl restrictions, beginning on July 12th. This is three days...

JUNE 2023 UPDATED 6/22/2023 It’s almost game-on here in the Madison valley as runoff is slowly coming to an end. Recent rain storms have made water clarity slightly murkier but conditions should clear up by this weekend. Your best bet...

JUNE 2023UPDATED 6/08/2023 Runoff on the Madison peaked May 30th at around 4800 cfs at the Varney Bridge gauge. We are currently in the later stages of runoff. The dam has been dropping 10% a day for the last 10...

JUNE 2023  UPDATED 6/01/2023  ***DO NOT FLOAT BETWEEN LYONS BRIDGE AND PALISADES FAS***  We’re in the midst of spring runoff in the Madison Valley and water levels are only going up from here. Starting May 26th, NorthWestern Energy will be...

MAY 2023UPDATED 5/25/2023 We’re in the midst of spring runoff in the Madison Valley and water levels are only going up from here. Starting May 26th, NorthWestern Energy will be increasing the volume of water releases from Hebgen Dam to...

MAY 2023 UPDATED 5/18/2023 Well, our friendly neighbors to the north are giving us some early season smoke to go along with our increasing temperatures. This of course means that even though we can’t see the mountains, the snow is...

MAY 2023 UPDATED 5/12/2023 We are getting closer to summer and it is sure starting to feel like it. The weather over the last week has been going up and down, we’ve had warmer days in the upper 60’s with...

MAY 2023UPDATED 5/05/2023 Welcome to the early days of spring runoff. The Upper Madison is rising with the warmer temperatures and we’re seeing high turbidity closer to town. The West Fork of the Madison is starting to pump in a...

APRIL 2023UPDATED 4/25/2023 Spring has finally sprung here, and we are now in that sweet spot between winter and spring runoff. Both the Upper and Lower Madison are in great shape and have been fishing great! Choose your poison, because...

APRIL 2022UPDATED 4/14/2022 With warmer weather on the way, we’ve seen an increase in boat traffic down the main drag. The boat ramps are starting to become more accessible by the day, call the shop for an updated report. As...

March 2022 UPDATED 3/31/2022 Well it’s official, we’ve made it to Spring! Let’s see how many more spring snow storms find their way to the valley over the course of the next few months. Looking out the front door of...

March 2022 UPDATED 3/03/2022 Happy Friday, Madison Valley! We’re still well below freezing but the fish are biting for those who are willing to get after it. A solid dusting of snow is currently being predicted from Ennis all the...

December 2022 UPDATED 12/09/2022 The annual Christmas Stroll has once again arrived in the town of Ennis! We’ll be hanging around the shop until 7PM tonight, make sure to swing on in and say hello to your favorite fish heads....

October 2022 UPDATED 10/28/2022  And there’s snow on the mountain, baetis in the air, trout in them rivers and it’s waiting for you there! Happy Friday Madison Valley, I hope it’s been a great one! Turn on your favorite Marshall Tucker...

October 2022 UPDATED 10/21/2022  It’s been a deceivingly warm Friday afternoon here in Ennis, Montana. Our long-lasting Indian Summer seems to be coming to an abrupt end as this weekend's weather is everything but balmy. Hunters are beginning to walk the...

October 2022 UPDATED 10/14/2022  The beautiful fall weather continues to roll on here in the Madison Valley, and the afternoon temps are feeling more like late summer than late October. Soak it in while you can, this is Montana and we...

September 2022 UPDATED 9/30/2022  Lots of things are changing in the Madison Valley, including the fishing! We have seen water temperatures begin to drop and the leaves are starting to shift into their fall colors. The river is shaping into its...

September 2022 UPDATED 9/23/2022  Montana FWP will be conducting their Fall shocking of the Upper Madison on the following dates: Pine Butte: September 8th, 9th, 12th and Septemper 19th - 21st. Varney: September 14th - 16th and September 22nd, 23rd and...