Aug 26, 2026

***2026 MT LICENSE SEASON UPDATE***

As of 03/01/2026 all Montana Fishing Licenses, Conservation Licenses and all other recreation licenses are now ONLINE purchase only. Please visit FWP website to obtain your 2026 season licenses.

_{The fishing restrictions on the lower Madison are as follows:}

Drought Closure (fishing prohibited 24 hours) is in effect for the Madison River from Madison Dam at Ennis Reservoir to the footbridge at NorthWestern Energy powerhouse starting July 15.

• Flows and temperatures were measured below Ennis Reservoir at USGS gage 06041000.
• Outflows from Ennis Lake have consistently been between 70 and 71 degrees since July 10, even at night. Therefore, fishing at night and early morning hours will leave fish vulnerable to high catch-and-release mortality associated with high water temperatures.

Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Lower Madison River - from the footbridge at North Western Energy powerhouse to confluence with the Jefferson River starting July 15.

• ​​Flows were measured below Ennis Reservoir at the USGS gage 06041000 and water temperatures are measured at the Sloan gage that is operated by Northwestern Energy, which is near the Blacks Ford FAS.​
• Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th.

Lower Madison is on full closure from Ennis Dam to the pump house; below the pump house it is hoot owl. With these being the conditions, it is probably not in your best interest to fish these spots. However, upper Madison and Gallatin are fishing well if you needed a local spot to fish. The weather is looking to be cooling off. These restrictions should be pulled shortly. If you are out this way, try to get on early. They have been looking for hoppers and crayfish. View USGS Streamflows