Water temps have gone up substantially with the hot weather of the past week. Intrepid anglers could fish early in the morning and get in their fishing before Hoot Owl restrictions start, but even then the water is still pretty warm. There are lots of weeds in the river, especially after the dam is pulsed, making subsurface fishing frustrating and ineffective.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River - from Hebgen Reservoir to upstream most Yellowstone National Park boundary starting June 19.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on June 15.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower Madison River - from Warm Springs BLM day-use area to the confluence with the Jefferson River starting July 2.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on June 28.
Officially on Hoot Howl restrictions and even warm in the morning now with the hot weather that is upon us. It is probably best to find another place to fish right now, but if you do go, it is a morning only game right now on the Lower Madison with Hoot Owl Restrictions currently in place. The Lower is starting to warm up and the best fishing is in the early morning with good fishing wrapping up around lunch time. Most of the fishing is subsurface with crayfish trailed by small PMD nymphs a good place to start. Large attractor dries are still bringing a few fish up. Make sure to check the water temperatures before you fish the Lower Madison.
Flies for the Lower Madison River Right Now:
Bloom's Hi-Vis Caddis in sizes 12-16
CDC Caddis in sizes 12-16
Parachute Purple Haze in sizes 12-18
Lightning Bugs in sizes 16-18
Sawyer PTs in sizes 18-22
Clouser crayfish in size 8-12
Little Spankers in sizes 18-20
Rainbow Warrior in sizes 16-18
Zirdle in sizes 6-12
Sparkle Minnows in bright colors in sizes 2-6
Home Invaders in purple or olive in sizes 2-6
The Month Ahead:
The Lower gets too warm for safe fishing in July and most of August. If you do try the lower look at water temps and once they hit seventy it is best to lay off. The early mornings would be your best bet but with so many other waters top choose from it is best to wait until September when this lower elevation river picks back up.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Lower Madison isn't the best mid summer fishery due to warmer water temperatures.