Madison River

The Water: The Madison River is tail water providing consistent flows and consistent fishing. Spencer got his wife, Anna, on a monster brown on the upper Madison on their very first date. The Madison is a fun walk-wading river, even though it’s hard to walk due to access.

The Madison is home to 11 native fish species including, but not limited to: Arctic Grayling, Mountain Whitefish, Longnose Suckers, Rocky Mountain Sculpin, and Westslope Cutthroat. As well as non-native species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, and Common Carp.  

Namesake: The Madison is named after James Madison, the U.S. Secretary of State during the Lewis & Clark Expedition. 

Headwaters: Gibbon and Firehole rivers in Yellowstone National Park. 

Estuary: Missouri River at Headwaters State Park. See the Gallatin River section for more information. 

Claim to Fame: The Fonz himself (actor Henry Winkler) can be spotted fishing on the Madison River, as well as fishing legend, Kelly Galloup. 

Other tidbits: Check out the Hebgen and Quake Lake pages for more history of the Madison River. Don’t forget to swing by The Slide Inn fly shop to pick up a beer and chat about fishing with Galloup and fellow local guides.