Feb 24, 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 upper Madison has been fishing well for the bulk of the winter and seems to be getting better every day. The upper reaches, from west fork up, have been the most consistent throughout this winter. The float stretch is seeing a few boats but has had some ice flow on the colder mornings. There are no ice jams currently, but the slush has been a little thick for fishing some days. The three dollar area has had some awesome dry fly fishing on calmer days. The midges have been thick. On days that doesn't happen, the nymphing has been solid too. The lower you get on the river, the less active the fish have been on the surface. But the nymphing has been solid throughout. The streamer guys have been finding a few fish as well. The guys running the two hand rods have had reasonable action on flashy, smaller streamers. The single hand guys have been throwing smaller articulated bugs with good success as well. This is a great place to head right now.

KEEP IN MIND: Rainbows may be spawning any day now. Please watch your step out there and leave bedding fish alone. We need that next generation to survive and thrive.

Winter tips:

• Fish the warmest parts of the day
• Use a wading staff for stability and to check ice thickness
• Winter fishing can be tough on the body, dress in layers and stay warm
• Keep your rod and reel out of the water to eliminate your guides and reel from freezing
• Use a net to land fish, having cold wet hands is the easiest way to end a day of fishing
• Minimize fish handling and land fish quickly.