What flies are hatching on the Mad River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Mad River include Midge, Blue-Winged Olive, Caddis. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Mad River?

The Mad River is running at 151 CFS at the Mad River near Urbana OH gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Mad River fishable today?

Mad River is outside its fishable window right now. Flow is 151 CFS at the Mad River near Urbana OH gauge. Check back when conditions return to the normal range.

Mad River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Mad River — Mad River near Urbana OH

Unfishable

151CFS

Discharge

3.22ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 40 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

29.23 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

34°FClear sky

Wind 5 mph29.23 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☁️

Overcast

52° / 36°

Tomorrow

☀️

Clear sky

58° / 34°

Mon

☀️

Clear sky

63° / 40°

Tue

🌤️

Mainly clear

65° / 46°

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

2

Time of Day

Using: 151 CFS · BWOs

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Mad River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Mad River · October · Fall

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

BWOs (size 18-20). October Caddis. Pre-spawn browns aggressive.

Blue-Winged OliveCaddis

River Map

Loading map…

USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Mad River

The Mad River is Ohio's most celebrated inland trout stream — a spring-fed freestone river that originates from cold limestone springs near Zanesfield in Logan County. Unlike virtually every other central Ohio river, the Mad's groundwater-fed source keeps it cold enough for wild brown trout year-round despite sitting in the agricultural flatlands. Ohio DNR stocks 10,000–15,000 brown trout fingerlings annually; holdover fish regularly reach 14–16 inches, with occasional larger specimens. The West Liberty gauge captures the prime fishing stretch from Zanesfield downstream through Logan County. Flows are remarkably stable (typical spring-fed baseline around 20–60 CFS) — rain events can push it to 100–150 CFS temporarily but it drops fast. Year-round trout season; no special C&R regulations as of 2026 regs. Best hatches: Sulphurs, Cahills, caddis (March–November).

MidgeBlue-Winged OliveCaddisSulphurLight CahillTrico

Regulations

Ohio fishing license required (resident $25/year). Year-round trout season; no special catch-and-release regulations on the Mad River as of 2026–27 regs. 2026–27 regulation cycle effective March 1, 2026. Verify at wildohio.gov.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Mad River with more confidence.