Southwestern Montana
SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA
ReportMadison River water is heating enough that early AM and late evenings are the best times to fish and the easiest times for caught-and-released fish to recover. Ants, beetles, and small hoppers are bankside and trout respond to patterns of these dead-drifted nearby. There is a late AM spinner fall in places that also brings trout to the surface.
The river between Hebgen Lake and the Yellowstone Park boundary remains on a Hoot Owl restriction. The same restriction is on the Beaverhead River below Dillon and the Madison River below Ennis Lake. There are Hoot Owl restrictions on portions of the Big Hole River as well. Check the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website to find the specific locations.
Gulpers are chasing speckled duns and tricos on Hebgen Lake's Madison Arm. This action will continue during wind-free times through August.
The Gallatin River flow is dropping, concentrating trout in deeper runs and pockets. Terrestrial insect patterns — including those for spruce moths and yellow sallies — bring some top-water fishing, especially early in the day.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ants | #16–18 | High — bankside terrestrials drawing surface takes | Early AM and late evening |
| Beetles | #12–16 | Moderate — bankside terrestrials, dead-drift near banks | Early AM and late evening |
| Small Hoppers | #12–14 | Moderate — bankside action building through August | Morning into midday |
| Tricos | #20–22 | High — gulper action on Hebgen Lake Madison Arm | Early morning, wind-free conditions |
| Speckled Duns | #18–20 | High — driving gulper rises on Hebgen Lake Madison Arm | Early morning, wind-free conditions |
| Spinner Fall (late AM) | #18–20 | Moderate — bringing trout to the surface on the Madison | Late morning |
- FIRST LIGHT TO 9 AM: Prime window for Hebgen Lake gulpers on tricos and speckled duns, and bankside terrestrial fishing on the Madison and Gallatin before water temps climb.
- LATE EVENING (7 PM TO DARK): Fish the Madison and Gallatin as temperatures drop — trout are most active and best able to recover from catch-and-release during this cooler window.
- LATE MORNING (9–11 AM): Watch for the spinner fall on the Madison to bring trout to the surface before midday heat sets in.
