Ennis Lake Fishing Reports
The Tackle Shop Fly Shop and Fishing Guides in Ennis, Montana
Fishing Report for the Madison River 9/20/25
River Conditions The Madison River is currently flowing at 942 CFS at Kirby Ranch with a temp of 55 degrees. At Varney Bridge it is 1060 CFS with the same 55 degree temps. At the Ennis Town Access it is 1160 CFS with a temp of 56 degrees. The colder nights and less daylight has been doing good things for the Madison River. Temps are down river wide and fish have taken notice. It is starting to feel like fall in South West Montana. While the flows are still a little on the low side a...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 9/15/25
Madison River Conditions The Madison River is currently flowing at 875 CFS at Kirby Ranch, 1040 CFS at Varney Bridge and 1080 at Ennis. All of the mid afternoon water temps are around the 60 degree mark. While this looks good it is slightly low. The boat guys are complaining as the bottom gel coats are getting a work out on rocks. The wade guys are loving the flows. Everyone is loving the water temps. In fact there is no rush to get on the river in the morning. Let it warm up a littl...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 9-1
River Condition With the cool wet weather we have had this last week the Madison River has new life. The current flow is 842 CFS at Kirby, 1030 CFS at Varney and 1150 CFS at the Ennis Bridge. Early morning water temps are sitting around 56 degrees and working up to 60 ish. As long as we do not get that super hot weather we should be in good shape going forward. The river has not switched to fall mode as of yet but the dog days are hopefully behind us. While the boat guys wish th...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 8-17
Current Madison River Conditions The Madison River is currently flowing at 897 CFS at Kirby with a temp of 59 degrees. The flow at Varney is 1020 CFS with a temp of 59 degrees. While this looks really good for fishing especially dry fly fishing there are a few things beyond the numbers. The stretch between Ennis and Ennis Lake is heating up in the afternoon. 70 degree temps are not uncommon on the hot days down in the channels. If you are fishing this area please q...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 8-9
Hopper Time The Madison River continues to fish well and is currently flowing at 920 CFS at Kirby and 1050 CFS at Varney. The cool weather and good rain showers of the past week has breathed some life into the river. Fish like water and cool weather and they got both this week. The temps have dropped from the danger zone river wide and the fish are looking up. If we get some more hot dry weather we could go back to the danger zone of temps but for now we are good to go. ...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 7-27
Middle of Summer on the Madison We have come to the middle of the summer season on the Madison River and the fishing is still doing well. The river is currently running at 1050 CFS at Kirby and 1190 CFS at Varney Bridge. The flow is great and is helping keep the temps down. This in turn is saving us the hoot owl restrictions that many other rivers are seeing. Lets keep getting some timely rain storms and a few cool days along with clear cool nights and we sho...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 7-14
Summer Fly Fishing The meat of our summer is here and the Madison River is in great shape. The current flow at Kirby is 1260 CFS and at Varney is 1380 CFS. This is a great level for mid summer. Boats can float anywhere, waders can wade and every fiy fisherman is happy. Temps are starting to creep up but you would not notice with the fish. We need to keep en eye on temps if we stay warm. Most other rivers are on restrictions and we do not want that...
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4th of July Fishing Report for the Madison River
River Conditions The Madison River is in great shape. The folks at the Dam gave us more water and it is about perfect. Current conditions are Kirby Ranch is 965 CFS and Varney is 1200 CFS. We feel this is the perfect level. Lots of access for the foot fisherman and plenty of water to float a boat. If you are in Montana to fish now is the time. Summer is the gift for surviving a Montana winter. Soak up every drop of sunshine, friends, dry fly fishi...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 6-21
Salmon Fly Hatch Yes the salmon fly hatch is going on the Madison River. Big bugs are mid to upper river. We have been having the best luck in the Windy Point and Pallisades area. Yes they moved up the river quickly. 85 degrees the first week or so of June and super low water in the river because they are not releasing from the dam will make this hatch burn hot. Literally it did most of the river in a week. If you are looking to get your big bug fix concentra...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 6-14
Salmon Fly? The million dollar question we get asked in the fly shop every day. Are they here yet? The short answer is yes you can get some good salmon fly fishing on the Madison River. The bulk of the hatch has not gotten going as of yet. There are bugs scattered mostly lower river below varney. The fish are looking at the adults some what. Keep with it. You will find one. They are not rising in every run or every bank but if you stay with it right now it will produce. We l...
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