Greater Yellowstone, Montana
Madison River Fishing Report: May 21, 2026
The Madison is fishable with steady flows, cold water, BWO potential, productive nymph and streamer options, and a bear-related closure to verify between Campfire Lodge and Beaver Creek.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning, then adjust around showers, storms, and wind
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
Madison River is in a good fishing window today, but check access before choosing the Between the Lakes section. USGS showed 684 cfs and 1.56 feet near Cameron at 7:30 AM, with the flow trend stable and water temperature at 43 F. Current local river context points to cold weather holding runoff back, clean enough water for nymphs and streamers, and a possible BWO window late morning into early afternoon. A local report also flagged a bear-related closure from below Campfire Lodge to the mouth of Beaver Creek; verify with the Hebgen Lake Ranger Station before entering that reach and give wildlife plenty of room.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 684 cfs at 7:30 AM |
| Gauge Height | 1.56 feet |
| Water Temp | 43 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning, then adjust around showers, storms, and wind |
| Best Method | nymphs; streamers; dry flies |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Ennis, MT, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: Rain before 8am, then rain and snow likely between 8am and 10am, then a chance of rain showers between 10am and noon, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. No active NWS alerts were returned for the point check. Plan around wind, changing light, and any showers or storms rather than assuming a full-day hatch window.
River Notes
The best starting point is water that matches the current gauge: inside seams, protected banks, riffle drop-offs, and slower buckets rather than the heaviest current. The wade section has the cleanest decision tree today: cover water with nymphs or jig-style streamers, then slow down when fish start showing a preferred lane. Between the Lakes may fish well where open, but do not enter the reported bear-closure reach unless official local managers have reopened it.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on today’s Madison public report context, seasonal late-May patterns, and the official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Best chance late morning into early afternoon under cloud cover |
| Midges | 16-18 | Useful as small droppers in slicks and softer seams |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Edges and riffles when fish look up |
| Stonefly nymphs | 6-10 | Anchor pattern in faster slots and deeper buckets |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Pat’s Rubber Legs | 6-10 | Stonefly anchor |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 16-18 | Mayfly trailer or dry-dropper nymph |
| Nymph | Zebra Midge or Juju Baetis | 16-18 | Small trailing fly in slicks |
| Dry | BWO Sparkle Dun | 18-22 | If fish rise during the BWO window |
| Streamer | Sculpin or Sparkle Minnow | 4-8 | Dead drift or strip through deeper lanes |
Tactics
Start with a stonefly nymph and small mayfly or midge trailer, then switch to a dry-dropper or single BWO only when fish are actually showing. Jig-style streamers and dead-drifted sculpin patterns are good searching tools in cold water. Carry bear spray, make noise in brushy approaches, and avoid the reported bear-closure reach until it is officially reopened.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MADISON RIVER NR CAMERON MT | 684 cfs | 43 F | USGS 06038800 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 06038800 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Ennis, MT area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.