The Madison River
Start Your Next Fly Fishing Adventure on the Madison River!
If you’re looking for the classic Montana day on the water, it’s hard to beat Madison River fishing trips. From fast riffles and long runs to famous dry-fly water and technical nymph lanes, the Madison is a true blue-ribbon trout fishery and one of the most consistent rivers in Southwest Montana for guided fly fishing. The best part: it’s an easy day-trip from Bozeman, and we tailor every trip to your goals, skill level, and the day’s conditions.
Quick links:
Our Complete Madison River Fishing Guide (seasonal info, best flies, where/when/how)
Madison River Fishing Reports (latest conditions)
Madison River Guide Trip Options
Full-Day Madison River Float Trip
A full-day Madison River float trip offers 6-8 hours of guided fishing, covering miles of prime water while adapting to hatches, flows, and changing conditions, with opportunities to fish dry flies, nymphs, and streamers throughout the day—making it an ideal option for anglers of all experience levels looking to maximize time on the water and fish the Madison at its best.
Half-Day Madison River Float Trip
A half-day Madison River float trip offers about 4 hours of guided fishing on one of Montana’s premier trout rivers, covering key water and adapting to conditions with opportunities to fish dry flies, nymph rigs, and streamers while enjoying expert local guidance, included gear (if needed), and a highly productive taste of the Madison ideal for anglers with limited time.
Walk & Wade Madison River Trips
If you’d rather slow down and focus on learning water reading, fly presentation, and effective wading strategy, a guided Madison River wade trip is an excellent fit, especially during shoulder seasons or lower flows, allowing you to thoroughly work productive runs, improve fundamental skills, and gain hands-on instruction from an experienced local fly fishing guide while targeting wild Montana trout at a more deliberate pace.
Where We Fish on the Madison River
Upper Madison River
The Upper Madison River is famous for its endless riffle water, strong currents, and fast-paced, high-energy trout fishing, offering consistent action throughout the season and rewarding anglers who enjoy actively covering water. This stretch excels for dry-dropper setups, effective nymphing through pocket water and classic seams, and streamer fishing on overcast days or during temperature changes, when aggressive wild trout slide into feeding lanes and respond to larger, well-presented flies—making it a favorite section among both guides and anglers targeting nonstop opportunities.
Lower Madison River
The Lower Madison River is renowned among Montana guides anglers for its broader, slower-moving water, diverse fish-holding structure, and consistently productive trout fishing from spring through fall, offering exceptional opportunities to work deep pockets, ledges, and current seams with nymph rigs, dry flies during sporadic hatches, or streamer patterns in the shoulder seasons, all set against expansive prairie scenery and healthy populations of rainbows and browns, that make this section a favorite for both float and wade fishing experiences.
What’s Included on Your Madison River Guided Trip
What’s Included (and Not Included) on Guide Trips + What to Bring
On all of our guided Madison River float and wade trips, you’ll enjoy expert one-on-one local guiding with instruction tailored to your skill level, rods, reels, flies and terminal tackle, safety equipment, and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your trip.
Full-day trips also feature a hearty streamside lunch, while half-day trips typically do not include a meal (so bringing a snack can be a good idea).
What’s not included are guide gratuities (Customarily 20-25%), your Montana fishing license (required for anglers age 12+), personal accessory gear like hats, polarized sunglasses, sunblock, or alcohol, and any optional equipment rentals (waders and wading boots) you may choose to bring or rent in town.
What to bring on your Madison River guide trip:
✅ Valid Montana fishing license (required)
✅ Layers & rainwear (weather can change quickly)
✅ Sunscreen + lip protection
✅ Hat & polarized sunglasses for glare reduction
✅ Wading boots / water shoes (if not using provided gear)
✅ Buff or neck gaiter for sun/wind protection
✅ Waterproof jacket or shell
✅ Camera / phone (in waterproof case)
✅ Snacks for half-day trips
✅ Optional: fishing gloves, hand warmers, personal first aid items
(Seasonal extras like warm hats or base layers are recommended in shoulder seasons.)
Madison River Fishing Reports
Stay up to date on the latest Madison River fishing conditions with our regularly updated reports, featuring current water flows, hatch activity, effective fly patterns, and techniques our guides are using right now to put anglers on trout. Our reports reflect real-time guide experience and local angler feedback to help you plan the best trip possible. Check back often for the most recent insights as seasons and weather shift on this world-class trout river.
Lodging Near the Madison River
Complete your Madison River fly fishing trip with comfortable and convenient lodging options close to the river and our guided trip meeting locations. The Madison Valley and nearby Bozeman and Ennis areas offer a wide range of stays to fit every style of trip, including well-appointed hotels, scenic cabins, and private vacation rentals ideal for couples, families, and groups.
Book Your Madison River Guide Trip
Ready to experience the Madison River like a local? Book your guided float or wade trip today and secure your spot with our expert guide team. Whether you’re planning a half-day session to fit into your Montana itinerary or a full-day float to cover miles of iconic water, we’ll tailor your fly-fishing adventure to the best possible conditions and your skill level. With up-to-date fishing reports, premium lodging recommendations, and professional guide instruction included, now is the perfect time to reserve your Madison River fishing trip — spots fill quickly during peak seasons.
Contact us or book online to lock in your dates!