Madison River fishing conditions · Montana

Now until 12 pmRainbow trout

The bite peaks at 55. Water is 47°, inside their 45–68° range, and a solunar period lands on the window. Wind builds to 18 mph out of the south-southeast by tonight at 10:00 pm.

Dense Fog Advisory until Monday 12 pm

Log a trip here

Right now: 55 for rainbow trout, marginal · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Rainbow trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

551 am
55
55
554 am
55
55
557 am
55
55
5510 am
55
47
471 pm
47
55
554 pm
55
52
527 pm
52
37
2210 pm
22
22Tue
291 am
22
44
554 am
55
55
557 am
55
55
5510 am
55
55

Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Water: 47°F
Wind: 9 mph
Flow: 788 cfs
Light: Dark
Sky: Mostly Clear
Air: 29°F
Barometer: Steady
Moon: 100% lit

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Montana Central District regulations for these waters.

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

55MarginalNow until 12 pm

Water

47°

35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside rainbow trout's active range. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

3 a day

Catch and release only today. Central District rivers and streams: 3 trout a day and in possession, only 1 over 18" and only 1 a cutthroat; grayling must be released. Open all year unless an exception says otherwise.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Montana Central District

Season here: May–Nov, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on rainbow trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

47°

35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside brown trout's active range. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

3 a day

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Montana Central District

Season here: May–Nov, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on brown trout

The water

Water temperature47°F
River788 cfs · steady · -1% in 24 h
Barometer30.24 inHg, steady

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunrise today7:56 am
Sunset today6:24 pm
MoonFull, 100% lit
Major solunarToday 12:10 am–2:10 am
Minor solunarToday 8:10 am–9:10 am
Major solunarToday 12:30 pm–2:30 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Montana FWP has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Montana FWP · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

Montana’s blue-ribbon trout river and one of the most famous wild-trout fisheries in the world. The upper river between Quake Lake and Ennis — the legendary “50-mile riffle” — runs fast and braided over wild rainbow and brown trout. Waded and floated hard all season; the salmonfly and caddis hatches are events.

Quake Lake outlet to Varney Bridge: catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only (anglers 14 and under may keep 1). Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge is closed to fishing from boats; Varney Bridge to Ennis Lake keeps browns under the Central District limit but releases rainbows.

WaterRiver
AccessPier, shore and ramp
RulesMontana Central District
WhereMadison County · 44.8887, -111.5809

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Henry’s Fork (Island Park)34 mi · IdahoBest tomorrow 1 am–1 pm

74Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Madison River?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Madison River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Madison River?

Madison River is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Madison River?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Madison River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Madison River have?

Madison River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Quake Lake outlet to Varney Bridge: catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only (anglers 14 and under may keep 1). Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge is closed to fishing from boats; Varney Bridge to Ennis Lake keeps browns under the Central District limit but releases rainbows.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Madison River?

state agency regulations apply at Madison River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Madison River tidal water?

No. Madison River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.