Madison River fishing conditions · Montana

Now until 6 pmRainbow trout

The bite peaks at 90. Water is 49°, inside their 45–68° range, and a solunar period lands on the window. Wind builds to 18 mph out of the southeast by tonight at 1:00 am.

Log a trip here

Right now: 90 for rainbow trout, go · 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.

902 pm
90
90
905 pm
80
80
808 pm
80
72
7211 pm
72Sun
57
572 am
57
57
575 am
57
72
728 am
57
72
7211 am
72
72
802 pm
80
80
805 pm
80
80
808 pm
80
80
8011 pm
80Mon
80

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

Water: 49°F
Wind: 7 mph
Flow: 727 cfs
Light: Daylight
Sky: Sunny
Air: 50°F
Barometer: Falling
Moon: 5% 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

90GoNow until 6 pm

Water

49°

35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Inside rainbow trout's active range. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only; anglers 14 and under may keep 1 trout a day. Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge is also closed to fishing from boats.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Madison River, Quake Lake outlet to Varney Bridge

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

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

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

90GoNow until 6 pm

Water

49°

35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Inside brown trout's active range. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Catch-and-release for all trout, artificial lures only; anglers 14 and under may keep 1 trout a day. Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge is also closed to fishing from boats.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Madison River, Quake Lake outlet to Varney Bridge

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

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

The water

Water temperature49°F
River727 cfs · steady · -1% in 24 h
Barometer30.35 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunset today5:07 pm
Sunrise tomorrow7:14 am
MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
Minor solunarToday 3:40 pm–4:40 pm
Major solunarTonight 10:20 pm–12:20 am
Minor solunarTomorrow 6:30 am–7:30 am

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 now until 6 pm

76Worth 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.