Madison River

The Madison River starts in Yellowstone National Park where the Firehole River and the Gibbon River come together at Madison Junction. From here the river calmly flows Northwest, for approximately 15 miles, past West Yellowstone, Montana, and into Hebgen Lake. This section of the Madison River is walk and wade fishing only. No boats, Yellowstone National Park rule. The good news is this is a wade friendly river with a sandy river bed with the occasional volcanic rock structure and the occasional blanket of weed beds.

The Madison River in YNP opens to fishing on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend each year and anglers can continue to fish through the first Sunday in November each year. This being said, the opening weekend also coincides with our runoff and water conditions could be none favorable until the cubic feet per second (cfs (see below river flow chart for up to date flows)) and clarity clear up, usually early-mid June. Once the conditions are favorable the famous salmon fly hatch will be in full swing which is a great opportunity to catch a larger hold over fall brown trout on a dry fly, early-mid June. During the salmon fly hatch, you will encounter several other hatches that will often be more productive on days than the salmon fly. These hatches include Pale Morning Duns, Baetis, and caddis.

Starting in 2024 we will be able to fish the Madison River year-round from the Montana/Wyoming state line downstream to the park boundary near West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana. The 2024 Yellowstone annual fishing permit will be valid May 25th through December 31, 2024. Beginning in 2025, the annual fishing permit will be valid for the calendar year, January through December.

The Madison River in the park hosts wild rainbow and brown trout ranging in size from 10″ to 28″, but averaging 18″. Living in an internet driven world, the fall spawning run out of Hebgen Lake is not much of a secret anymore. Big browns and rainbows averaging 19 inches with the occasional 28″ brown are caught each October into November. When fishing in the fall be ready for winter conditions were temperatures can drop below zero on any given day. Be prepared with several layers and several backup items including gloves, hats and warm socks.

NOTE: Felt sole boots are banned from all waters in Yellowstone National Park. Trout On The Fly offers non-felt rental gear if needed.

Helpful reminders when fishing in YNP
Lead-free weight
Barbless Hooks
Two hooks per line
Single hook per lure (no articulated streamers with two hooks)
Legal fishing hours are from sunrise to sunset