Montana
Madison River at Kirby Ranch near Cameron
Current River Rating
Fair · 67
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Sunday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 875 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.81 ft
- Water Temperature
- 54.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 06038800 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
51°F
Feels like
45°F
Wind
7 mph N
Wind gust
17 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 2 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 51°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 10 AM
Clear
Temp 55°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 2 PM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 16 mph
Sat 6 PM
Clear
Temp 73°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 13 mph
Sat 10 PM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 75°F / Low 43°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 77°F / Low 50°F
Chance 29%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 62°F / Low 45°F
Chance 82%
Precip 0.12 in
Max gust 36 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 67°F / Low 40°F
Chance 41%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Bounded upper Madison River trout destination at Kirby Ranch near Cameron, inside the Hebgen-to-Ennis valley. USGS 06038800 is the at-location monitoring identity with live discharge and water temperature. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Not madison-river-below-hebgen-lake-near-grayling and not madison-river-below-ennis-lake-near-mcallister.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Madison River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Madison River at Kirby Ranch is the 50-mile riffle identity below Quake Lake and above Ennis. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 06038800 (live discharge and water temperature). FWP manages the upper Madison as a wild trout fishery. Flow Context remains default-deny. Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are a native game fish in this drainage per official state fishery management; they are described here because StrikeTracks has no species-selector ID. Confirm current FWP whitefish rules separately (https://fwp.mt.gov/fish). Hatch Match publishes destination-specific seasonal salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) guidance from peer-reviewed adult-presence studies. Timing varies with water temperature and is seasonal guidance, not a live hatch observation. Other insect groups remain unpublished where two independent qualified seasonal sources were not found for this identity.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
FWP Madison River drainage plan (2023–2026) manages the upper Madison (Yellowstone National Park to Ennis Reservoir) for wild rainbow and brown trout. https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/fisheries-management/statewide-fisheries-management-plan-2023-2026/2.17_madison-river-drainage.pdf
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
FWP Madison River drainage plan (2023–2026) manages the upper Madison (Yellowstone National Park to Ennis Reservoir) for wild rainbow and brown trout. https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/fisheries-management/statewide-fisheries-management-plan-2023-2026/2.17_madison-river-drainage.pdf
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Broad riffle-run Madison valley trout water between Earthquake Lake and Ennis Reservoir, with FWP-documented public access.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by FWP Fishing Access Sites in the upper Madison valley. Catalog coordinates are the USGS point, not a FAS pin.
Stocking information
FWP Madison drainage plan: wild trout management; hatchery-based mainstem management ended decades ago. Confirm any current official stocking separately.
Official sources
A large portion of the Madison is catch-and-release and artificial lures only. Verify current FWP Madison Exceptions and drought closures at fwp.mt.gov. Do not treat USGS 06040000 (near Cameron) or 06038500 (below Hebgen) as this destination.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Madison, Montana
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Madison
Management Category
Wild trout river
Regulation Scope
Madison River at Kirby Ranch near Cameron / 50-mile riffle
Regulation Summary
Upper Madison at Kirby Ranch: FWP Madison special regulations and Central District Exceptions. Confirm current closures.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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