We are in the heart of winter right now here in southwest Montana. And with the cold snap coming, the weekend looks to be better spent tying for warmer times or planning a trip rather than going on a fishing trip. But if you must go fishing right now, then prepare for some very cold weather. Fish on the Lower Madison in winter are lethargic and are not going to swim very far for food. Fly selection is nothing earth-shattering and consists of the usual Lower Madison fare--things like crayfish, worms, leeches, and non-flashy nymphs. Consider some tight-line dragging through the buckets and near the weed humps.
This is always a good winter choice as long as the wind isn’t blowing too hard. Severe cold snaps can also cause the river to slush up but the weather has still been mild enough to produce good fishing and even a few rising fish during the random midge hatches that can occur in winter on the Lower Madison. Read some of our recent blog posts featuring: 5 Tips for Winter Fly Fishing, Winter Fly Fishing Tips that Go Beyond Just Dressing Warm, 5 Tips to Improve Your Fly Fishing with Streamers or Winter Fly Fishing Options Near Bozeman. Our tailwater fisheries of the Upper Madison and Missouri Rivers are good bets right now while our freestone rivers like the Gallatin and Yellowstone Rivers may soon have shelf ice and where you can fish safely will be limited to certain sections.
The flows are good for walking and wading and covering a good bit of water. The fishing in Bear Trap Canyon can be good as the dam helps to regulate water temps some. However, any reports of decent dry fly fishing are pretty much done for the season, but if the wind stays down the fish might be looking up for midges in the slower backeddies or slower runs. The streamer bite is ok as well. It isn't gangbusters but for anglers wanting to feel the tug of a quick strike, persistence might pay off. For more tips, read some of our recent blogs 5 Tips to Improve Your Streamer Fishing or Winter Fly Fishing in Montana to learn more about catching more fish when the snow flies and the temps freeze.
The Lower Madison is one of the best winter options for fly fishing in the Big Sky and Bozeman areas. It can fish very well especially on overcast days. Look for the buckets and deeper runs. Crayfish, sculpins, worms and eggs are the norm, with baetis and midges trailing. Streamer/swing fishing can be quite productive as well. If you are headed into Beartrap Canyon, be sure to read our blog on Fishing Big Canyon Waters.
After all is said and done, the best way to find fish right now on the Lower Madison is by fishing tandem nymph rigs or dragging streamers and crayfish. Small beadheads paired with a large morsel like a crayfish or sculpin are the best options right now. Our Montana fishing guides like size 14 Lightning bugs or PTs or size 16 Perdigons or Green Machines for nymphs and Clouser or Turkey crayfish and a variety of streamer patterns.
Flies for the Lower Madison River Right Now:
Lightning Bugs in sizes 16-18
Firebead and hot bead SJ wormies in sizes 10-14
Zebra Midges in red or black in sizes 18-22
Sawyer PTs in sizes 18-22
Clouser crayfish in size 8-12
Pheasant Tails in sizes 16-20
Little Spankers in sizes 18-20
Pat's Rubberlegs in sizes 12-14
Sparkle Minnows in bright colors in sizes 2-6
Home Invaders in purple or olive in sizes 2-6
The Month Ahead:
The Lower has been outstanding on good days and good enough on slow days. This is always a good winter choice as long as the wind isn’t blowing too hard. Severe cold snaps can also cause the river to slush up but the weather has still been mild enough to produce good fishing and even a few rising fish over midge hatches.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Lower Madison is a very solid winter fishery. Just watch the weather and look for no wind. Midge fishing along with pink nymphs are a solid bet. Winter fishing on the Lower Madison and winter fishing near Bozeman is a time to enjoy getting out and fishing rather than fishing when racking up numbers is the goal.