May Fishing Report by Madison River Outfitters: Conditions in Southwest Montana
May 14, 2026 by Angela Montana
Anglers heading to Southwest Montana can expect a wide range of conditions as we hit the middle of May. While Hebgen and Quake Lakes are offering steady action for those stripping leeches and midges, the Upper Madison is bracing for a cold spell that may briefly stall hatches, though solid nymphing and attractor dry fly opportunities remain. Within Yellowstone National Park, the Firehole and Madison rivers are producing well with early-season caddis and baetis, though visitors must navigate significant wildlife-related closures along the Firehole. Meanwhile, the Gallatin remains cold and “chalky” as runoff begins to stir, and the NE Corner remains largely under lock and key until the summer season officially kicks off.
Montana Hebgen & Quake Lakes: The lakes are fishing pretty good on the calmer days, we’re still stripping buggers, leeches, and chironomids. There have been a few fish looking up on adult chironomids as well. It’s still a ways out from prime callibaetis fishing (and gulpers) but there are definitely fish to be had out on the still water!
Flies We’re Fishing: #16 Griffith’s Gnat, #18 Bucky’s Midge Cluster, #16 Royal Chubby, #18 Missing Link, #14 Black & Red Nugget, #14 O.S. Buzzer, #16 Lake Prince, #8 Black or Olive Simi-Seal Leech, #8 Black Hot Bead Leech, #8 Vegas Booby Leech, #6 Black/Olive Wooly Bugger. Madison Flows: Hebgen Lake Inflow: 1400 CFS Hebgen Lake Outflow: 424 CFS Kirby Flows: 999 CFS Cameron Flows: 1660 CFS Water Temp @ Kirby: High 57 F Low 40 F Flows as of 12PM May 14th 2026
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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. MRO Guide Jake Schilling rowed Tyler into this beauty brown this week ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Upper Madison: With the lake filling up more and more each day, the water should start coming up a bit. The coming cold spell could stall the bugs for a while, but fish are definitely starting to look up, and small attractors like chubbies and wulffs should start rising some. The nymphing is as solid as ever, with mayfly nymphs & emergers, caddis pupa, and stonefly nymphs all on the menu. Streamers are always a safe bet too, especially with the coming gloomy nasty weather.
Flies We’re Fishing: #16 BWO Loopwing, #18 Split Case BWO, #16 Ram Caddis, #16 Olive Biot Pupa, #16 & #18 TBH Red Neck, #18 Olive SH Hare’s Ear, #12 & #14 Black Rubberleg Stone, #16 Firestarter, #16 Sunburst Perdigon, #16 Royal Chubby, #16 Olive X-Caddis, #16 Missing Link, #16 Hot Mess Caddis, #18 BWO Parachute, #8 Black Hot Bead Leech, #6 Mini Sex Dungeon Black or Olive, #6 Copper Zonker
Madison, Firehole, Gibbon: The majority of the three rivers on our side of the park are open as of May 1st (some of the Gibbon is still closed!) They’re all fishing pretty well right now, with some caddis and baetis hatching mainly on the Firehole. Swinging soft hackles is always a great tactic this time of year, and we’ve been swinging up plenty of fish employing it. (Due to a recent bear/hiker encounter, a large section of the firehole between old faithful and fountain flats is closed indefinitely as of May 8th 2026. Check the NPS website for a more detailed map of closed areas, and be bear aware when hiking/fishing in areas in which bears are present)
Gallatin: The YNP section of the Gallatin will open as usual with the rest of the parks general fishing season on the Saturday of memorial day, May 23rd. The Montana stretch to big sky is fishing OK but is going to be pretty chalky and opaque downstream of the Taylor Fork. The river is still very cold but we are turning some fish almost exclusively on small caddis nymphs and rubberlegs.
NE Corner: The Yellowstone wont open until July 1st, and the rest of the rivers up there will most likely be too high to effectively fish until a bit later in the summer.
The Bitterroot River’s conditions are challenging yet promising for anglers, offering good opportunities for both dry-fly and nymph fishing, especially in upper sections, amid fluctuating water clarity and summer hatches.
Spring has arrived at Fort Peck, highlighted by local legend Bill “The Salmon Slayer” Zarahdka catching a 15.7-pound Chinook salmon and a walleye simultaneously, showcasing his impressive fishing skills.
High winds have displaced the courtesy dock across the boat ramp at Fourchette Bay, rendering it unusable. USACE crews are working to resolve the issue; alternative launch sites are recommended for boaters.
The National Weather Service has issued a blowing dust advisory and high wind warning for northeastern Montana, advising residents to avoid travel due to low visibility and dangerous conditions.
Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop is hosting Trace’s Tacklebox Kids Fishing Clinic on May 31st at 10 AM, offering young anglers a day of outdoor fun and adventure. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
In 2025, modifications were made to a fence blocking access to the West Boulder River after negotiations, allowing public access while controversies over landowner restrictions continue to rise in Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks introduces new tagging options for paddlefish, requiring immediate validation upon harvest. Anglers must comply with specific reporting guidelines and can use e-tags or paper tags for their catch.
The Bitterroot River’s conditions are challenging yet promising for anglers, offering good opportunities for both dry-fly and nymph fishing, especially in upper sections, amid fluctuating water clarity and summer hatches.
