Today
88°F
Sunny then Patchy Smoke
SSW 7 mph · 19% precip
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Today’s verdict
Clear — a big 34°F swing through the day.
1,350 CFS−90Flow
59°F−1°1,350 CFS is running a bit high for July — this stretch typically runs 870–1,230 CFS.
With flows up, footing gets less predictable — take extra care, scout your access, and turn back if it feels wrong. Conditions vary, and you are responsible for your own safety.
At 59°F, the water is in the prime range for trout — cold enough to fish and to handle fish safely.
Weather
59°FClear
Wind SW 5 mph
Sunrise 6:08 AM · Sunset 8:56 PM
Observed (42 minutes ago)
NWS / weather.gov · fetched 08:00
Today
88°F
Sunny then Patchy Smoke
SSW 7 mph · 19% precip
Tonight
56°F
Patchy Smoke
ESE 8 mph · 24% precip
Tomorrow
90°F
Patchy Smoke
WSW 3 to 9 mph · 7% precip
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Size #6-10
Conditions are estimates from USGS data. Always assess on-site conditions and use your own judgment.
The McAllister gauge sits on the Wade-to-Varney section — what most anglers mean by "the Madison," the stretch trip reports call the "Fifty Mile Riffle." It's a long-record station between Hebgen Dam and Ennis Lake with live flow and water temperature, so it reflects the water you'll actually fish.
Location
© OpenStreetMap contributors · © Geoapify
Helpful Links
Montana fishing resources
Other Montana rivers with live conditions
The Madison is a celebrated wild-trout river with distinctly different upper and lower fisheries. Below Hebgen Dam, the Upper Madison is a fast, boulder-filled tailwater commonly called the “Fifty Mile Riffle.” It supports strong populations of rainbow and brown trout and provides both famous walk-and-wade reaches and productive float sections. The Lower Madison is broader, warmer and more weed-lined, with excellent spring and early-summer fishing but frequent temperature concerns in midsummer. The river fishes year-round in selected reaches, with spring midges, blue-winged olives and caddis preceding the major salmonfly and golden-stone hatches of early summer. PMDs, caddis, yellow sallies and terrestrials carry the fishery through summer; fall favors BWOs and streamers. Nymphing and dry-dropper fishing are the most consistent techniques, while large dries can be excellent during stonefly season. Streamers are valuable during higher water, cloudy periods and fall. Access is generally good, but anglers must observe wade-only sections and monitor warm-water restrictions on the lower river.
88° / 56°WeatherSize #14-22
