Madison River

Below Bear Trap the river widens through a valley with mixed access points (Greycliff, Black's Ford, Cobblestone, Warm Springs). Fishes best from October through early June when temperatures are cool. Summer brings hoot-owl restrictions and warm-water stressed trout.

Best for: Brown trout and rainbow trout on streamers, midges, and BWOs. Best Oct-May. Wade or float. Avoid July-August (warm-water mortality risk).

Nine-mile wilderness canyon below Ennis Dam. Steep walls, big boulders, deep pools — the most dramatic water on the Madison. Foot access only via the Bear Trap trailhead. Rafts and drift boats run it for experienced floaters (Class III at higher flows). Holds the biggest brown trout on the river.

Best for: Brown trout and rainbow trout on streamers and stonefly nymphs. Deep nymph rigs and sink-tip streamers. Best Sep-Jun (lower flows). Skip during high releases.

Final stretch of the upper river before Ennis Lake. Hopper fishing along the cut banks is the staple. Town of Ennis bracketed by Eight Mile Ford and the FWP boat ramp.

Best for: Rainbow trout and brown trout on hopper-dropper, attractor dries, and streamers. Evening caddis fall. Easy access from Ennis.

The 'Three Dollar Bridge' stretch — historic access point known nationally. Wider, slightly slower water with productive insect hatches. The slick water around Three Dollar holds selective rainbow trout that test PMDs and Tricos with long leaders.

Best for: Rainbow trout on technical dry fly. PMDs, BWOs, Tricos. Best for wade anglers willing to slow down and sight-fish.

Continuation of the upper river through the wider valley. River braids slightly and gathers spring inflow that holds fish through warmer summer water. McAtee is the take-out for the day float; the next stretch downstream sees fewer boats.

Best for: Rainbow trout and brown trout. Hopper fishing in summer; caddis evenings; nymphing the inside seams. Less crowded than the upper sections.

The classic float section of the upper Madison. Continuous riffles and pocket water with no slow stretches. Drift boats are the standard, but bank access at Lyons, Reynolds Pass, Palisades, and points between is excellent for wading. Bigger fish in the deeper runs along the cut banks.

Best for: Wild rainbow trout and brown trout. Float fishing with hopper-dropper, salmon fly dries, or streamers off the boat. The signature Madison float.

Classic riffle-and-pocket-water below the outlet of Quake Lake — the start of the 'Fifty Mile Riffle'. Consistent grade, round-cobble bottom, FWP access points every few miles. Salmon fly hatch peaks here last week of June into the first week of July.

Best for: Wild rainbow and brown trout. Dry fly and nymph fishing throughout summer. Salmon flies in late June; PMDs and caddis through August.

Three-mile tailwater between Hebgen Dam and the head of Quake Lake. Slick spring-creek style water with consistent flows and selective rainbows and browns from 14-20 inches. Wading only; small flies on long leaders.

Best for: Rainbow trout and brown trout on technical dry fly and small nymphs. PMDs and Tricos in summer; midges all winter. Best Apr-Nov.