![Lower Madison River Bear Trap Canyon](/sites/default/files/uploads/2024-07/madison_river_900x600_ben04660.jpg)
The Lower Madison near Bozeman and Big Sky, Montana is now under hoot owl restrictions until cooler weather prevails. Hoot Owl Restrictions limit the fishing from Midnight to 2 PM. This is not uncommon on the Lower Madison as the dam that regulates the consistent flow of the river doesn't allow for cold water releases from the bottom of the dam. With the forecast of hot weather to hold for awhile, we do not see the Hoot Owl Restrictions on the Lower Madison being lifted anytime soon.
For a complete list of Madison River Hoot Owl Restrictions, skip to the bottom of this report.
Fishing is restricted to only the morning hours from the Powerhouse at Ennis Dam to the confluence with the Jefferson River.
The fishing is going to be better in the early morning hours and fish will feed less as the water temps warm in the afternoon.
High water temps also stress trout so it is best to hit this for an early morning visit and then call it good. For any fish that are caught, please fight them quickly and keep them in the water at all times when releasing them. The temps are rising fast so the Lower Madison will most likely be on hold for fishing until we hit September.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River Footbridge (below Ennis Lake) at NorthWestern Energy powerhouse to confluence with the Jefferson River beginning July 18.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th. Outflows from Ennis Lake have consistently been between 72-73 degrees since July 13, even at night, which has exacerbated issues with high water temperatures in the lower Madison River. With enough distance from the dam, cooling of outflows from Ennis Reservoir is sufficient to allow fishing during early hours of the days.
Air temperatures over 90 F are anticipated for the foreseeable future. The lower Madison River receives high angling pressure.