Where to Eat in Ennis

Category:

Planning, Lodging, Meals, and Fun

Added Date:

Friday, 18 Mar, 2016

Summary

The Gravel Bar and Banditos are usually my first choices for dining. Both are filled with fishing enthusiasts who share tall stories, cold beer, and lots of different menu options. You can belly up to the Bar for a thick, juicy burger and a brew, or head back to Banditos and enjoy flavorful Southwestern cuisine and an exhaustive wine list.

Content

On the south end of town, I recommend the Alley Bistro. The food’s excellent and well priced, the wine selection is tempting and there are local brews on tap. Adjacent to the Bistro is Pit Stop Pizza, perfect for those nights when you just want a bite before turning in. That said, they do make a fine pizza!

At the other end of town, I like the Continental Divide, our only local, 4-star restaurant. The Divide is without peers if you are seeking elegant cuisine and highly rated wines. Eric Trap, both owner and chef, is not only an excellent cook, but a devoted fly fisherman as well. So don’t be surprised if at some point during your meal, he stops by to inquire about the food and hits you up for a fishing report.

Read More Top Fly Fishing Bars in Ennis

I’m thrilled to report that after two years of remodeling, the McAllister Inn, located 10 miles north of Ennis, is once again open. This wonderful restaurant and bar have been beautifully restored. Owner Kevin Kreig, part rancher and part restaurateur, raises his own beef for his restaurant so you know it’s going to be delicious! While there, order the aged-to-perfection Scottish Highlanders, a true carnivore’s delight.

Well worth mentioning is the Sportsman’s Hotel that offers a nicely prepared dinner or a hearty breakfast in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. I also recommend this as a fine place to rent a cabin for a few days of R && R.

Just Outside Ennis

Up river, about 35 miles south of Ennis check out the Grizzly Bar. This is an awesome place for “après fish” on the Upper Madison. You can order just about anything here, from a juicy burger to a sweet T-bone steak. Another bonus - spirited wade fishing in Quake Lake.

Another great choice is the Campfire Lodge, about 45 miles south of Ennis. This rustic breakfast-nook overlooks the Madison, just downstream from Hebgan Dam. To me, there’s nothing better than a Sunday morning breakfast followed by a little nymph fishing in the afternoon - and you won’t find a prettier place to do just that!

To sum it up, the Madison offers more than some of the world’s best fly fishing. Here anglers can also enjoy a wide selection of restaurants, bars and wonderful places to stay.

Reading Time:

minutes

Featured:

Author

Eric Shores

Destinations

Ennis Montana

(2)

This is a small town with a big heart, a veritable fisherman’s paradise. Located near the fish-filled Madison River, and surrounded by the waters of Ennis Lake, the Ruby River, Hebgen ... moreLake, Quake Lake, Henry’s Lake, the Big Hole River and scores of smaller streams, the town boasts what many consider the best trout fishing in the world. As well known for its wranglers as its anglers, Ennis has succeeded in maintaining the look and feel of its original, gold town roots. Warm and hospitable, the area offers a wide variety of accommodations ranging from simple campsites, rustic motels and gracious hotels, to full-service, luxury resorts. Fly shops are numerous, stocked by local experts ready to advise and assist, while guides can be booked for trips throughout the area.

Boredom is the only thing unavailable in Ennis. Throughout the summer season the city hosts a series of events, including its renowned 4th of July Celebration Parade and a genuine, old-fashioned rodeo. In August, fly-fishing luminaries from around the US, flock to Montana to compete in the Madison Fly Fishing Festival. Athletes also find their way to Ennis to compete in the city’s Madison Trifecta, two shorter races followed by a full Marathon at 9000 feet, the highest elevation run in America. For the true sportsman, October falls in with the annual Hunter’s Feed. What’s caught, typically elk, moose deer, pheasant and bobcat, gets cooked on the streets and served up to hungry spectators.

Flanked by three grand mountain ranges, The Tobacco Root, Gravelly and Madison, Ennis is scenic and entertaining – truly an authentic, fly fisher’s haven.

Trips:

4 Days 4 Rivers Fly Fishing Package in Montana

Float Trip on the Yellowstone River with Zach Neville Outfitters

Float Trip on the Upper Madison River with Zach Neville Outfitters

All 61 Fishing Trips

Fishing Waters:

Gallatin River Fishing Report

Ruby River Fishing Report

Jefferson River Fishing Report

All 6 Fishing Water Reports

Destination Blogs:

Learning to Fly Fish in Montana

Fly Fishing Packing Check List for Montana

Perfect Day Fly Fishing: the Gardens at Ennis Montana

All 15 Blog Posts

Fishing Waters

Madison River Fishing Report

(5)

The Madison River is arguably one of the best trout fishing rivers in all of southwest Montana, if not the entire world! It’s certainly the most talked over, written up and frequented ... morein the state of Montana – which is considered by some the capital of fly fishing. Anglers will find plenty of great access sites to wade or float along the Madison’s banks and reservoirs (including Hebgen Lake and Ennis Lake). Rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and more abound in this majestic fishing stream.

The Madison begins its course almost twenty miles into Yellowstone National Park. Within the Park, fishing rules apply: no live bait and catch and release only. Once outside the Park the river meanders past working ranches, stately conifer forests and cottonwood lined banks, interrupted by riffles and quiet runs that contain large rainbow and trophy brown trout. Flowing alongside Yellowstone’s West entrance road, the river enters Hebgen Lake, created by Hebgen dam, until it reaches Quake Lake, a bit downstream from the dam. At this point the river is commonly called either the Upper Madison or the Lower Madison, although in fact, they are one and the same.

Upper Madison – Quake Lake to Ennis Lake
Directly below Quake Lake the river roars into 5 long miles of Class V whitewater with steep gradients and large boulders along the way. As the rapids decline, the magic begins. For the next 53 miles, often referred to as the 50 Mile Riffle, the cold river runs north and the fish jump high. Annual runs of spawning trout make their way from Hebgen Lake, rainbows in the spring and browns in the fall. Known the world over for its “hard fighting” trout, it’s not unusual to pull a 25” brown from these upper waters. In deference to the purists and fly-fishing enthusiasts, it’s wading only from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge. Boats may be used to access the river, but if you’re going to fish, your feet must be on the riverbed. Fortunately, the Hebgen Dam releases water throughout the year, leveling its flows and relieving it of spring runoff issues and summer shrinkage.

Lower Madison – Ennis Lakes to Three Forks
A short section of the river between Ennis Dam and the power station maintains relatively low water levels and provides wonderful opportunities for wading. Past the power station the river regains its muscle and for 7 miles winds through Bear Trap Canyon. Hiking trails offer the only entry, great for those that like to walk and seek the solitude of a designated wilderness area. Floating is permitted but requires a lengthy shuttle and the ability to work through Class III-IV whitewater. Once out of the canyon the river flows in shallow riffles until it reaches Three Forks and joins the Missouri. From Warm Springs to Greycliff, the river is easily accessible for drifters and wading.

Game Fish Opportunities:

Guide Reports:

Madison River Fishing Report

Up to Date Fishing Report for Madison River September

Hot Weather and Great Fishing - Madison River Report

All 29 Guide Fishing Reports

Fishing Trips:

4 Days 4 Rivers Fly Fishing Package in Montana

Float Trip on the Upper Madison River with Zach Neville Outfitters

Float Trip on the Lower Madison River with Zach Neville Outfitters

All 31 Fishing Trips

Fishing Access Sites:

Palisades Fishing Access Sites

Windy Point Fishing Access Site

Ruby Creek Recreation Area

All 18 Fishing Access Sites

Blogs:

Learning to Fly Fish in Montana

Perfect Day Fly Fishing: the Gardens at Ennis Montana

Getting Your Fishing License in Ennis, Montana

All 9 Blog Posts

Trips

5 Fishing Days on the Madison River with Red Mountain Adventures

1,625-

1,925

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 3 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

5 days

(1)

Fishing Waters:

Ennis Lake Fishing Report

Madison River Fishing Report

Destination:

Ennis Montana

Experience the Madison River Like Never Before Learn the best spots on the Madison River with 5 great fishing days with Red Mountain Adventures. Eric Shores, with over 35 years of ... moreexperiencing guiding on the Madison River will take you down a journey of the best places to fish.

The journey starts on the Upper Madison River on a guided float trip covering about 8-11 miles of premier fly fishing water. The following day includes a recipe (location flies, and technique) on a do it yourself wade location near the fly fishing town of Ennis. The third day moves you on to where the Madison River dumps into Ennis Lake for a full float day stalking the giants. The following day provides instructions again for a do it yourself wade day. Location will depend on the hot locations during your visit. The final day is another full day float day on the lower Madison River. All together, you will experience the Madison River like never before by true expert.

Note: The order or location may change based on where the best spots are at the time.

Full Day Float Trip on Ennis Lake with T Lazy B Ranch

500

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 2 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

1 day

Fishing Waters:

Ennis Lake Fishing Report

Destination:

Ennis Montana

Ennis Lake full day float trip with lunch and flies provided. Enjoy a day on the water and reel in some fresh Montana trout. The Madison River flows into and out of Ennis Lake, and ... moreprovides the setting for your beautiful Montana day.

Float Trip on the Madison River with Trouts N' at Outfitters

300-

495

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 2 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

5 hours - 1 day

Fishing Waters:

Madison River Fishing Report

Destination:

Ennis Montana

Join us for a fun day of fishing on one the Madison River, one of the top rated trout rivers in the US, and a legend in southwest Montana.

Outfitters

Red Mountain Adventures

(1)

Welcome to Southwest Montana's finest fly fishing adventures. Blue ribbon trout water is literally steps away when you visit us in the picturesque town of Ennis, Montana. You may spend ... morethe day on our home river, the world famous Madison or drive to one of our other local rivers such as the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby or the Jefferson. Whether you are a new angler or an old pro we have the expertise and patience to make your time on the water chasing wild trout a success.

Fishing Trips: