Current Conditions:
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River - from the upstream most Yellowstone National Park boundary to Hebgen Reservoir.
- Flows and water temperatures are measured at the USGS gage 06037500 near West Yellowstone.
- Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 3rd and have approached 80 degrees several days in the last week.
Drought Closure (fishing prohibited 24 hours) is in effect for the Madison River from Madison Dam at Ennis Reservoir to the footbridge at NorthWestern Energy powerhouse.
- Flows and temperatures are measured below Ennis Reservoir at USGS gage 06041000.
- Outflows from Ennis Lake have consistently been between 70 and 71 degrees since July 10, even at night. Therefore, fishing at night and early morning hours will leave fish vulnerable to high catch-and-release mortality associated with high water temperatures.
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Lower Madison River - from the footbridge at North Western Energy powerhouse to confluence with the Jefferson River.
- Flows are measured below Ennis Reservoir at the USGS gage 06041000 and water temperatures are measured at the Sloan gage that is operated by Northwestern Energy, which is near the Blacks Ford FAS.
- Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days.
The Month Ahead:
Better options out there indeed.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
It will return to a fishable water temperature in late August or early September as longer nights cool the water.
Visit Our Shop for These Top Lower Madison Flies Right Now:
Chubbys in black and tan and size 10
Yellow Stimulators in sizes 12-14
Super Pupa caddis in size 12
Clouser crayfish in size 10
Zebra Midge in sizes 14-22
White Zonker in size 6
Brown, olive, black, or tan Zurdle in size 8-12
Para Adams in size 12-22
Pat's Rubberlegs in coffee/black in size 6-10
BH Pheasant Tail in size 12-16
Beaded SJ Worms in size 10
BH Prince in size 12-16
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