The Madison River is one of Montana’s most iconic rivers, renowned for its picturesque and wild setting, world-class trout fishery, and diverse recreational opportunities. The river originates near the West Gate of Yellowstone National Park at the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers. Shortly after leaving the park, the Madison is impounded by Hebgen Dam, creating the over 12,000-acre Hebgen Reservoir. Eight miles downstream, the Madison is again impeded, this time by a natural, earthen dam that resulted from a landslide triggered by a magnitude-7.3 earthquake in 1959.
The 90-mile section of river below the outlet of Earthquake Lake is divided into two unique stretches by a smaller, third impoundment, Ennis Lake. The upper Madison River above Ennis Lake, affectionately known by trout anglers as the 50-mile riffle, is a top destination for anglers worldwide. Consequently, it is also one of Montana’s most heavily used river fisheries. Just below Ennis Lake, the lower Madison River tumbles for 8 miles through Beartrap Canyon, a designated wilderness area that is popular with whitewater enthusiasts thanks to its multiple Class III-V rapids. After emerging from the canyon, the river flows its final 40 miles before combining with the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River at Missouri Headwaters State Park, just outside Three Forks. The lower Madison is also popular with anglers, but it’s slower, and seasonally warmer waters offer a unique floating and tubing opportunity in the summer months.
Madison River Special Recreation Permits
A Special Recreation Permit (SRP) is required for all commercial use, competitive events, and organized group activities on the Madison River, as well as at all Madison River FWP and BLM access sites, from the outlet of Earthquake Lake to river’s confluence with the Jefferson River.
The documents and forms below can be used to report SRP use and/or apply for a permit. All forms except the electronic use report logs must be mailed to:
Montana FWP
Attn: Madison SRP
2300 Lake Elmo Dr.
Billings, MT 59105
Please refer to the Report and Application Cover Letters and the Electronic Use Report Log Instructions for information on submitting electronic use report logs.
