Fly Fishing the Madison River of Yellowstone National Park

Trying to figure out the Madison
River trout. He will be hear for a
long time. We are not sure that
has ever been done.

Madison River:

............................Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park

Brown trout are plentiful in the
Madison River. This one is a
resident summer trout. His big
older family members will be here
in the Fall.

Looking at this image, you would
think the fallen tree was the only
structure in the river. However, that
is far from being correct.

Searching the Madison for rising
trout.

This image was taken near the
Nine Mile Hole, a location about
halfway along the Madison inside
the park.

Mount Haynes overlooks the
Madison River. There is a handicap
fishing ramp not far from here.

The Madison is formed by the confluence of the Gibbons and the Firehole Rivers
in the western section of the park near West Yellowstone, Montana. It flows
along the West Entrance Road from Madison Junction almost to the West
Entrance Gate. There is about 20 miles of the Madison River inside
Yellowstone National Park.
The Madison River is already a good sized stream when it starts. Because part
of its water comes from the Firehole River, the river can get too warm for the trout
to feed aggressively during the hot summer months. During low water years, if
the stream gets very warm, the trout usually become lethargic and feed little if
any. The best time to fish the stream is during the month of June, provided it is
clear enough, and from about the first of September until the season closes the
first of November.
During the early fall, brown trout from Hebgen Lake move upstream into the
Madison River to spawn. Large rainbow trout follow them. Many anglers
consider this the prime time to fish the Madison in the park. The lower areas of
the river can become crowded with anglers casting streamers and large
nymphs trying to fool the large trout. Some of the migrating trout move as far as
the head of the river and even up into it tributary streams, the Firehole and the
Gibbon Rivers.
The main species of fish in the Madison River are brown trout, rainbow trout and
whitefish. The resident fish probably average about 9 to 14 inches. Some may
measure up to 18 or better. The fall run of Hebgen Lake trout are generally
larger, averaging 15 to 18 inches with some over 20. Fish as larger than 24
inches have been caught during the spawning run.
Access:
There are several access points along the Madison River from the West
Entrance Road that closely follows the river. The uppermost part of the Madison
River can be accessed from the Madison Picnic area at Madison Junction.
The Mount Haynes Overlook and Wheelchair Fishing Access Area is three and a
half miles west of Madison Junction.
The 7 Mile Bridge area at the Gneiss Creek Trailhead is another access point. It
is about 6 and a half miles from Madison Junction on the West Entrance Road.
Riverside Drive is yet another access point. It is a section of old road that exits
from the West Entrance Road and follows the river a short distance. It is located
about 5 miles from the West Entrance to the park.
The Barnes Pool is another famous location on the Madison River that is
extremely popular during the fall run of spawning trout from Hebgen Lake. It can
be accessed from the West Entrance Road about a half mile inside the park via
the Barnes Pools gravel road that goes down to the river. It is about a mile to the
Upper Barnes Pool and another half mile to the Lower Barnes Pool.
Comments:
The Madison River is great for about half of the season consisting of a short
period of time in the early part of the season and the last month and a half of the
season. Trout can be taken during the hot summertime, but you will usually
have to work for them.
The reason is that the warm water from the Firehole caused by the geysers,
warms the water to the point the trout become sluggish. They are much better off
moving down to the cool deeper waters of Hebgen Lake. During this time there
are better destinations you could choose in the park. On the other hand, if the
timing is right, the Madison may be the best of all available choice.