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. There are Hoot Owl restrictions on portions of the Big Hole River as well — check the Fish, Wildlife & Parks website to find the specific locations.
Gulpers are chasing speckled duns 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 and yellow sallies bring some top-water fishing, especially early in the day.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ants | #16–18 | Active — bankside dead-drift | All day; best early AM & evening |
| Beetles | #14–16 | Active — bankside dead-drift | All day; best early AM & evening |
| Small Hoppers | #12–14 | Building — dead-drift near banks | Late morning through evening |
| Spinner Fall | #16–18 | Active — surface rises on Madison | Late morning |
| Speckled Duns (Callibaetis) — Hebgen Lake | #16–18 | Active — gulper fishing on Madison Arm | Morning, wind-free windows through August |
| Yellow Sallies — Gallatin River | #14–16 | Active — top-water | Early morning |
- FIRST LIGHT TO 9 AM: Prime window on the Madison and Gallatin — fish terrestrials and yellow sallies before water temps climb; easiest on fish being released.
- 9 AM TO 11 AM: Late-morning spinner fall on the Madison and gulper action on Hebgen Lake's Madison Arm during wind-free conditions — watch for rising fish.
- 6 PM TO DARK: Evening terrestrial session as temps drop — ants, beetles, and small hoppers along the banks; fish recover best in cooler evening water.
