Mid-March is showing its split personality across Montana today. Southwest rivers like the Madison and Gallatin are holding steady at excellent winter flows, while western drainages—the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot—are all trending upward with 13-15% jumps over the past week. Meanwhile, extreme wind warnings are plastered across the state with gusts forecast to 72 mph in Central Montana and 68 mph around Bozeman. If you’re heading out today, pick your water carefully and keep a low profile.
Water temperatures are hovering in the upper 30s where we have data, which means midges and BWOs during the warmest part of the afternoon. The incoming storm system will dump rain and snow through the weekend, likely muddying up rising rivers and making stable tailwaters your best bet for the next several days.
| River | Flow (cfs) | Temp (°F) | Trend | Fishing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison River | 329 | 39°F | Stable | Excellent |
| Gallatin River | 244 | — | Stable | Good |
| Yellowstone River | 1,200 | — | Stable | Good |
| Big Hole River | 642 | 37°F | Rising +6% | Fair |
| Missouri River | 3,220 | 38°F | Stable | Good |
| Clark Fork River | 1,850 | 39°F | Rising +14% | Fair-Good |
| Bitterroot River | 1,260 | — | Rising +13% | Fair |
| Blackfoot River | 1,010 | 37°F | Rising +15% | Fair |
Madison River — Southwest Montana
Current Conditions: 329 cfs, 39°F, stable
The Madison is fishing as well as you could hope for mid-March. At 329 cfs, flows are textbook for winter fishing—low and clear with excellent wade access throughout the $3 Corner, Varney, and McAtee sections. Water temp at 39°F means you’ll see the best bug activity and rising fish between noon and 3 PM when the sun warms things up a degree or two.
Flows have been rock-solid in the 330-340 cfs range all week, and that stability is translating to predictable hatches. Midges are your bread and butter right now—size 20-24 clusters and adults in black, gray, and olive. The BWO hatch has been inconsistent but when it pops (usually 1-3 PM), fish a size 18-20 Sparkle Dun or Comparadun. Nymphing deep runs and soft seams with zebra midges, pheasant tails, and rainbow warriors under an indicator will produce steady action all day.
Tip: Today’s extreme wind (gusts to 68 mph) will make the upper river nearly unfishable. Head to the lower canyon sections below Ennis Lake where you’ll find wind protection and concentrate on pocket water with nymphs. Tomorrow and Saturday look brutal too—this might be a weekend to tie flies and wait for calmer conditions Sunday.
Missouri River — Central Montana
Current Conditions: 3,220 cfs, 38°F, stable
The Missouri tailwater below Holter Dam continues to fish well despite today’s extreme wind warnings (gusts to 72 mph in the Great Falls area). At 3,220 cfs, flows are right in the sweet spot for wade fishing the Craig to Cascade section, though you’ll want to avoid open flats and exposed banks today.
Water temp at 38°F keeps the fishing slow until late morning, but once the sun gets high, expect steady midge activity and occasional BWO emergences. Nymphing is your most consistent approach—size 18-22 zebra midges, mercury blood midges, and rainbow warriors fished deep. Streamer fishing has been productive for larger fish, especially in protected shorelines and deeper channels where you can get out of the wind.
Tip: The wind will be a serious factor through Saturday. Focus on the canyon sections where cliffs provide shelter, and consider fishing from a boat if you have one to access protected water. Early next week should bring calmer conditions and improved dry fly opportunities.