Madison River

The Madison River, located in Wyoming and Montana is a tributary of the Missouri River. It is an especially popular destination for people interested in fly fishing.

Fishing in Yellowstone National Park

Part of the Madison River runs through Yellowstone National Park. This 19 mile stretch of water is popular with experienced anglers who know how to fly fish. The river in Yellowstone National Park is filled with brown and rainbow trout, which are caught quite easily. All anglers must fly fish this stretch and release the fish after they catch each one. This ensures that the number of trout stays high, while also giving anglers the opportunity to enjoy the sport.

Outside of Yellowstone National Park

The area outside of Yellowstone National Park is also a popular fishing destination. Fly fishing is the most popular type of fishing done outside of the park as well; however, fishing from a boat is legal outside of the park. Rainbow and brown trout are the most prominent fish in these waters, although mountain whitefish is also abundant. The Fifty Mile Riffle, the stretch of Madison River between Quake Lake and Ennis Lake, is considered the best part of the river for fly fishing.

The Madison River is a blue ribbon fishery, designated by a government agency as an exceptional fishing area. There are numerous catch and release programs along the river to ensure that the fish population does not get endangered. Fly fishing is the preferred method of fishing due to the scenic areas and low water.