2008 NebraskaFishing Guide

Regulationsand Public Waters

View all guides and get your permits online atwww.OutdoorNebraska.org

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission2200 N. 33rd St. / P.O. Box 30370Lincoln, NE 68503 (402) 471-0641

WHY BUY A PERMIT?It is important for anglers to buy a

fishing permit to support Nebraskafisheries management and habitatprotection and restoration projects.

WHO MUSTHAVE A PERMIT?

A fishing permit is required to take, orattempt to take, fish, bullfrogs,snapping turtles, tiger salamanders ormussels by any method. An anglermust carry the fishing permit whilehe/she actively is fishing. A residentfishing permit is required for allNebraskans 16 years of age and older.A resident is a person who has residedin Nebraska continuously for at least30 days and has a bona fide intentionof becoming a legal resident of thisstate. Others who may obtain aresident permit include: (1) militarypersonnel stationed in Nebraska andon active duty here for at least 30consecutive days; (2) nonresidentstudents upon proof they haveattended classes full time for at least30 consecutive days at any Nebraskacollege, university, junior college,vocational school or any foreignexchange high school student; and (3)any person duly enrolled in andattending a civilian conservation centeror similar government work or trainingfacility for 30 consecutive days.

A nonresident fishing permit isrequired of all people who are notNebraska residents, except thoselisted above and those under 16 yearsof age who are accompanied bysomeone possessing a valid Nebraskafishing permit.

See the Border Waters section forpermit requirements for fishing thewaters of the Missouri River.

The owner, or a guest of the owner,of any totally private body of waterwhich: (1) is located entirely on privateland; (2) is entirely privately stocked; (3)does not connect by inflow or outflowwith any other off-property body ofwater; and (4) is not commerciallyoperated, is not required to have afishing permit on that body of water.See Private Waters section on pages24-25.

Fee-exempt permits are available tothe following resident veterans: (1) 50percent disabled as a result of servicein the armed forces, (2) those whoreceived a pension from the VeteransAdministration as a result of a total andpermanent disability not incurred in theline of duty in military service, and (3)those who obtained fee-exempt permitsprior to Jan. 1, 2006. Aquatic habitatstamps are included with these fee-exempt permits. Information andapplication forms are available fromNebraska Game and ParksCommission offices and permit agents.An annual $5 fish/hunt permit isavailable for veterans 64 and older andresidents 69 and older.

A “special fishing permit” isavailable for physically disabled ordevelopmentally disabled persons whocannot cast or retrieve withoutassistance. This permit entitles thedisabled person and one personassisting him or her to take, fish, catch,harvest or possess any aquaticorganism in compliance with stateregulations. If the person assistingdoes not possess a current fishingpermit, they are restricted to one dailybag limit between the two anglers. Theannual permit is issued on a calendaryear basis and costs $5 regardless ofthe age of the applicant. A “disabledperson” means a person certified by a

CONTENTSArchery/Surface Spearfishing . . . . . . . . . . . 17ATVs and Snowmobiles/Ice-Fishing . . . . . . . 19Bag & Possession Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Baitfish Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Bait Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Border Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Bullfrogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Cast Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Commercial Fish Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Conservation Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Fish Kill Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Game and Parks Commission Offices . . . . . . 2Hook & Line Seasons and Regulations . . . . 12Know What You Caught . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10Master Angler Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Mussels (Clams) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Nongame Fish Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Paddlefish Application Form . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Paddlefish - Archery (Missouri River) . . . . . 21Paddlefish Harvest Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Paddlefish and Snagging of Nongame Fish 20Panfish Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Permit Fees and Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 3Private Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Public Fishing Areas

Panhandle (District I) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28North-central (District II) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Northeast (District III) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Southwest (District IV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38South-central (District VI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Southeast (District V) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Regulation Changes For 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . .4Snagging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Snapping Turtles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Sport Fish Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14State Record and Master Angler Rules . 25-27Threatened and Endangered Species . . . . . 15Tournaments/Contests/Derbies . . . . . . . . . . 24Underwater Spearfishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Unlawful Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

*Headquarters2200 N. 33rd St. / PO Box 30370Lincoln, NE 68503-0370Phone: 402-471-0641 / Fax: 402-471-5528

*District I299 Husker Rd. / PO Box 725Alliance, NE 69301-0725Phone: 308-763-2940 / Fax: 308-763-2943

*District II524 Panzer St. / PO Box 508Bassett, NE 68714-0508Phone: 402-684-2921 / Fax: 402-684-2816

*District III2201 N. 13th St.Norfolk, NE 68701-2267Phone: 402-370-3374 / Fax: 402-370-3256

*District IV301 E. State Farm Rd.North Platte, NE 69101-0430Phone: 308-535-8025 / Fax: 308-535-8028

District V (Fisheries Staff only)Lincoln, NE; Field ShopPhone: 402-471-7647 / Fax: 402-471-7649*District VI1617 First Ave.Kearney, NE 68847-6057Phone: 308-865-5310 / Fax: 308-865-5309

*Omaha1212 Bob Gibson Blvd.Omaha, NE 68108-2020Phone: 402-595-2144 / Fax: 402-595-2569

*Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium Outdoor Ed Center21502 W. Highway 31Gretna, NE 68028-7264Phone: 402-332-3901 / Fax: 402-332-5853

* Permits available over the counter

NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION OFFICES

General RegulationsNOTICE

This is a guide only. For sources,consult Nebraska statutes and official regulations.

Under federal and/or state law, discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, maritalstatus, national origin, disability or political affiliation. If you think you have been discriminated against in any program,activity or facility or want more information, contact the Affirmative Action Officer, Nebraska Game and ParksCommission, Lincoln, NE, 402-471-0641; the Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE, 402-471-2024, TTY / TDD402-471-4693. USFWS, Division of Bird Habitat and Conservation, Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401 North Fairfax Drive,MBSP 4020, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Printed on recycled paper with soy ink

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County), Grand Island Rest Area(DOR) (Hall County), Kea Lake WMA(Buffalo County), Kea West WMA(Buffalo County), Liberty Cove(Webster County), Midlands Lake(Sarpy County), North Kearney RestArea (DOR) (Buffalo County), Papio 13– West Dodge Park Lake (DouglasCounty), Sandy Channel SRA (Buffalo

County), Shadow Lake (SarpyCounty), Union Pacific SRA (BuffaloCounty), War Axe SRA (BuffaloCounty), West Cozad WMA (DawsonCounty) and West Wood River WMA(Hall County). These are small waters;thus, the purpose of reducing the dailybag limit from 10 to 3 is to help spreadout the harvest of channel catfish.

physician to have a permanentphysical impairment or developmentaldisability that results in the inability touse fishing equipment unassisted.Applications are available from theCommission headquarters in Lincoln oroffices in Alliance, Bassett, Kearney,Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha and theAk-Sar-Ben Aquarium near Gretna.

An educational fishing projectpermit can be obtained by instructorsat any university, college, or highschool from the Fisheries Division forhis/her students, 16 years of age andolder, who are participating in aneducational fishing project.

IT IS UNLAWFUL TO...• borrow or use the permit of another or

lend your permit to another.• leave dead fish or any part thereof on

the banks or in the water of anystream, lake or other body of water.

• fish on any private land withoutlandowner permission.

• use a crossbow or similar devicewhile archery fishing, except for adisabled person who has a medicalcertificate on file.

• seine sport fish of any size.• use float lines.• leave fish in a trap for more than 24

hours.• release into public waters of the state

any fish that did not originate in thatbody of water.

• attempt to snag fish, except indesignated areas. See the Snaggingsection for details.

• use limb lines or set lines in any pond,lake or reservoir.

• catch fish by hand.• buy or attempt to buy a permit while

under license suspension orrevocation in any state.

• keep an externally foul-hooked fish,except those legally snagged.

• consume and/or have an opencontainer of alcohol at any state park,state recreation area or wildlifemanagement area.

FISH KILL REPORTSReport dead or dying fish by notifying

your local conservation officer,Commission district office, or the 24-hour Nebraska State Patrol pollutioncomplaint number, (402) 471-4545, assoon as possible. Prompt notificationwill make it easier to determine thecause.

Keep the water safe and clean forfuture fishing. Report dumping/pollutionactivities to the Environmental ProtectionAgency at 1-800-223-0425.

REGULATIONS CHANGESFOR 2008

• Midlands Lake and Shadow Lake(Sarpy County) and Papio 13 – WestDodge Park Lake (Douglas County)each now have a 21-inch minimumlength on black bass. These are newurban lakes that will receive heavyfishing pressure.

• War Axe State Recreation Area nowis catch and release for black bass.This area has been stocked withsmallmouth bass to provide anglers aunique bass fishing opportunity.

• Channel catfish, blue catfish andflathead catfish are now regulatedseparately. Daily bag limits will be asfollows: channel catfish – MissouriRiver, 5; all other waters, 10, unlessotherwise posted or regulated; Bluecatfish – statewide, 1; and flatheadcatfish – statewide, 5. The goal is tosimplify regulations. Always refer tothe Public Waters section for anyspecial area regulations.

• The following waters now have a dailybag limit of 3 for channel catfish: AldaDOR (Hall County), Bassway WMA(Buffalo County), Blue Hole West WMA(Buffalo County), Bufflehead WMA(Buffalo County), Cheyenne SRA (HallCounty), Coot Shallows WMA (BuffaloCounty), Cozad SRA (DawsonCounty), Darr WMA (Dawson County),Dogwood WMA (Dawson County),East Gothenburg WMA (DawsonCounty), East Odessa WMA (Buffalo

2008 FISHING AND PARK PERMITSALL FISHING PERMITS INCLUDE AN AQUATIC HABITAT STAMP

RESIDENTAnnual Fish* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26.00Combination Fish-Hunt* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.503-Day Fish* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.001-Day Fish* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.50Veteran Fish-Hunt (64 and over) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00Senior Fish-Hunt (69 and over) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00Lifetime Fish* (0-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276.00Lifetime Fish* (6-15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326.00Lifetime Fish* (16-45) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426.00Lifetime Fish* (46 and over) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326.00Lifetime Fish-Hunt* (0-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376.00Lifetime Fish-Hunt* (6-15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501.00Lifetime Fish-Hunt* (16-45) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646.00Lifetime Fish-Hunt* (46 and over) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501.00

NONRESIDENTAnnual Fish* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58.003-Day Fish* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.001-Day Fish* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.50Lifetime Fish* (0-16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 551.00Lifetime Fish* (17 and over) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 851.00Lifetime Fish-Hunt* (0-16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,076.00Lifetime Fish-Hunt* (17 and over) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,601.00Special Fishing Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00Annual Park Permit* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.35Duplicate Park Permit* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.35Daily Park Permit* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.35*Includes agent fee added to Permits and Stamps

Buy permits online at wwwOutdoorNebraska.org

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• Fort Kearny SRA Lake #2 (KearneyCounty) and Windmill SRA Lake #3(Buffalo County) have been added tothe list of lakes that are catch-and-release on channel catfish. Theprotection of channel catfish will resultin the creation of a quality catfishpopulation, providing area users theopportunity of catching a large channelcatfish while still providing harvest onother lakes located on these areas.

• DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Lake(Washington County) was added tothe list of Missouri River watersmanaged with a 15-inch minimumlength on walleye, sauger andsaugeye. This regulation change isonly to comply with the existingrefuge regulations.

• Swan Lake was removed from the listof lakes having a protective slot limitfor northern pike. Following renovationin 2006, northern pike were notreintroduced.

• Blue Hole East (NPPD) was removedfrom the list of lakes with a 30-inchminimum length for northern pikesince this lake currently is not openfor public use.

• Midlands Lake (Sarpy County), Papio13 – West Dodge Park Lake (DouglasCounty), Shadow Lake (SarpyCounty) and War Axe SRA (BuffaloCounty) were added to the list ofwaters that have a panfish daily baglimit of 10. These areas will receiveheavy fishing pressure; thus the goalis to maintain density and quality sizeby reducing overall harvest.

• Stagecoach Reservoir and WagonTrain Reservoir (both LancasterCounty) were removed from the list oflakes having an 8-inch minimum lengthfor sunfish. Gizzard shad have gainedaccess to these lakes, limiting theirability to produce quality size bluegill.

• Paddlefish harvest will now beregulated through a new permit system.Please refer to page 20 for a detailedexplanation on the new system. Thenumber of snagging permits issued wasincreased from 1,400 to 1,600.

• The Two Rivers Trout Lake (DouglasCounty) open season regulation wasmodified so the Commission nolonger is restricted to the dates ofApril 1 through Oct. 31.

• Fort Robinson State Park and BuffaloCreek WMA (Dawes and SiouxCounties) no longer are restricted totwo lines for ice-fishing. Statewideline limits apply.

• Big Bordeaux Creek WMA (DawesCounty) no longer is total catch-and-release for trout. Statewideregulations now apply.

• Compressed-air spear guns havebeen approved for use for underwaterspearfishing.

• The no-live-baitfish regulation hasbeen removed from Wagon TrainReservoir.

• The following lakes no longer allow theuse or possession of live baitfish:Ansley City Lake (Custer County),Bethphage Pond (Kearney County),Heartwell Park Pond (Adams County),Holdrege City Lake (Phelps County),Lexington City Lake (Dawson County),Lincoln Park Pond (Nuckolls County),Ravenna Lake (Buffalo County),Sutton Clark Pond (Clay County) andYanney Park Lake (Buffalo County).The purpose of this regulation is toreduce the chance of the introductionof unwanted fish species.

• L.E. Ray Lake (Grand Island) isregulated with a total catch-and-release on largemouth bass, dailybag limit of 10 panfish and a daily baglimit of 3 for channel catfish.

BAG, POSSESSION, ANDLENGTH LIMITS

Bag and possession limits may varybetween “inland waters” and “waters ofthe Missouri River.” For this purposeonly, “inland waters” include all watersof the state except the waters of theMissouri River. “Waters of the MissouriRiver” include all of the river alongNebraska’s border and all reservoirs,oxbows, sloughs, chutes, backwatersand marshes that have annual surface

BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITSBe sure and check the “Nebraska’s Public Fishing Waters”

(page 28) section for special bag, possession and length limits on specific water bodies.

STATEWIDE

SPECIES Bag Poss.

TROUT (ALL SPECIES) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 . . . . . . . .14STRIPED BASS, WHITE BASS & THEIR HYBRID . . . . . . . . .15 . . . . . . . .30(no more than 1 fish over 18 inches on all waters)WALLEYE/SAUGER/SAUGEYE (in combination, . . . . . . . . . . .4 . . . . . . . . .8

only one 22 inches or longer allowed in daily bag. Inland waters only)MUSKELLUNGE/TIGER MUSKIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . .2BAITFISH, TIGER SALAMANDERS AND LEOPARD FROGS (in combination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 . . . . . .100SHOVELNOSE STURGEON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 . . . . . . . .20

(no harvest allowed on the Missouri River upstreamfrom mouth of the Big Sioux River)

PALLID AND LAKE STURGEON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .No Harvest AllowedNORTHERN PIKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 . . . . . . . . .6BLUE CATFISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . .2FLATHEAD CATFISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . .10PANFISH (see species list on page 7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 . . . . . . . .60MUSSELS AND CLAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 . . . . . . . .20GAME FISH and NON-GAME FISH SPECIES NOT LISTED . . . . . . .No LimitBULLFROGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 . . . . . . . .16SNAPPING TURTLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 . . . . . . . .20

INLAND WATERSSPECIES Bag Poss.LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH,SPOTTED BASS, (BLACK BASS COMBINED) . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . . . . . . . . .8(only one bass 21 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag)

CHANNEL CATFISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 . . . . . . . .20

WATERS OF THE MISSOURI RIVERSPECIES Bag Poss.LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH,SPOTTED BASS, (BLACK BASS COMBINED) . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . .10(only one bass 21 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag)CHANNEL CATFISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . .10(including the Niobrara River downstream from Spencer Dam)PADDLEFISH (special permit required) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . . . . . . . . .2

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water connection to the river and thefirst 300 yards upstream from themouth of all tributary streams.

Any fish that is not to be counted in thebag limit must be returned immediatelyto the water with as little injury aspossible. Any fish placed on a stringer orin a container, or not returned to thewater must be counted in the bag; thus,no culling or high-grading is allowed.

Daily Bag: The daily bag limit is fishharvested from midnight to thefollowing midnight. No person maypossess more than one day’s bag limitof fish while on the water or activelyengaged in fishing.

Possession Limit: This is the totalnumber of a species of fish that aperson may possess in portablecoolers, home freezers, registered inhis/her name in a commercial coldstorage locker or in any other way undertheir control. Fish or aquatic animalsplaced in public storage or transferredmust be labeled with the owner’s name,address, phone number, date of birth,signature, date taken, species andnumbers and the name of recipient ifthey are transferred.

Length Limit: The proper method toobtain the length of a fish is to lay the fishon its side with its mouth closed and thetail lobes pressed together. With ayardstick or tape measure under the fish,measure the length from the tip of thesnout to the end of the tail. (Do not followthe contour of the fish, which wouldexaggerate its length). A minimum lengthlimit means a fish must be equal to orlonger than the defined length to belegally harvested. A maximum length limitmeans a fish must be shorter than thedefined length to be legally harvested.

Protected Slot Limit: This is arange of lengths of a particular speciesthat cannot be legally harvested on agiven lake. For instance, a 28-to-34-inch protected slot limit on northernpike means that a northern pike lessthan 28 inches in length or greater than34 inches can be harvested.

One-Over Length Bag Limits: Forsome species, such as largemouthbass and walleye, the number of largefish that can be harvested may belimited on some or all waters. Forexample, while it may be legal toharvest four largemouth bass morethan 15 inches from a given lake,statewide regulations prohibit an anglerfrom harvesting more than onelargemouth bass 21 inches or longereach day from any waters. Therefore,for lakes with a 21-inch minimumlength limit on largemouth bass, thedaily bag limit becomes one fish.

KNOW WHAT YOU CAUGHTNorthern Pike• Five or fewer pores

on each side oflower jaw

• Cheeks fully scaled

Muskellunge• Six or more pores on

each side of lower jaw• Upper half of cheeks

scaled

Northern Pike

Muskellunge

Pores

Pores

KNOW WHAT YOU CAUGHTPallid Sturgeon - An Endangered Species• Illegal to possess• Outer barbels twice as long

as inner barbels• Base of barbels “U” shaped

inner two set out in frontPallid Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon

Barbels

Shovelnose Sturgeon• Nebraska’s most common sturgeon• Barbels all the same length• Barbels straight across• Smallest Nebraska sturgeon,

rarely exceeds 4 poundsShovelnose Sturgeon

Barbels

Lake Sturgeon - A Threatened Species• Illegal to possess• Short snout turns up at end• Barbels are not fringed

Channel Catfish

Blue Catfish

Flathead Catfish

KNOWWHAT YOU CAUGHT

• Anal fin has 24 - 29 rays with outer margin rounded.

• Spots not present on large fish.

• Anal fin has more than 30 rayswith outer margin straight.

• Lower jaw extends past upper jaw.• Square, unforked tail.

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Walleye, Sauger and SaugeyeDaily bag limit can contain only one

walleye, sauger or saugeye of 22inches or longer on all inland watersexcept Elwood Reservoir.

15-inch minimum – statewideexcept for that portion of the MissouriRiver downstream of Gavins PointDam (no minimum length) andselected reservoirs listed below.DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge(Washington County) has a 15-inchminimum length.

18-inch minimum – Harlan CountyReservoir, including the RepublicanRiver upstream to the NebraskaHighway 46 bridge (Harlan County),Sherman Reservoir (Sherman County),and Calamus Reservoir (Loup andGarfield counties).• Merritt Reservoir – daily bag limit of

four may include one walleye from 15through 18 inches and three over 18inches or four over 18 inches, but nomore than one over 22 inches inlength allowed in the daily bag.

• Elwood Reservoir – 15-inch minimumlength in conjunction with an 18- to24-inch protected slot limit with onlyone walleye over 24 inches allowed inthe daily bag limit.

• Branched Oak Reservoir – daily baglimit is one walleye 22 inches or longer.

Muskellunge/Tiger Muskie40-inch minimum – statewide

Northern Pike28-inch maximum – Valentine

National Wildlife Refuge30-inch minimum – Alda DOR (Hall

County), Grove Lake (AntelopeCounty), Cottonmill Lake (KearneyCounty), Enders Reservoir (ChaseCounty), Red Willow Reservoir(Frontier County), MaskenthineReservoir (Stanton County) andSherman Reservoir (Sherman County).

28- to 34-inch protected slotlength limit – Box Butte Reservoir(Dawes County) and Goose Lake (HoltCounty)

Crappie10-inch minimum: Branched Oak

Reservoir (Lancaster County) CottonmillLake (Buffalo County), Czechland Lake(Saunders County), Sherman Reservoir(Sherman County), Walnut CreekRecreation Area (Sarpy County),Wehrspann Lake* (Sarpy County,Yanney Park Lake, (Buffalo County)and Zorinsky Lake* (Douglas County).

*Note: The length limit is not in effectduring the month of April onWehrspann and Zorinsky lakes.

Sunfish8-inch minimum – Czechland Lake

(Saunders County), Mormon IslandLakes West, Middle and East (HallCounty), Walnut Creek RecreationArea (Sarpy County), Wildwood Lake(Lancaster County), Windmill SRA #4(Buffalo County), and Yankee Hill Lake(Lancaster County).

Striped Bass, White Bass andtheir hybrids (combined)

Daily bag limit can contain only onefish 18 inches or longer - Statewide

18-inch minimum – Bridgeport SRA(Morrill County), Fremont SRA (DodgeCounty), Fort Kearny SRA (KearneyCounty), Louisville SRA (Cass County)and Windmill SRA (Buffalo County).

Bullfrogs4½-inch minimum – Snout to vent

statewide.

AREAS WITH SPECIAL DAILY BAG LIMITS

• Trout (All species)Daily bag limit – 4Lake Ogallala (Keith County)Two Rivers Trout Lake (DouglasCounty) (Four tag allowed per tag withup to three tags purchased per day.)

• Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth,and spotted)

Total catch and releasePlease refer to the Public Water

Section for the individual watersmanaged with this regulation.

LENGTH LIMITSStatewide and special length

limits: The following species haveminimum length limits statewide:largemouth bass, smallmouth bass,spotted bass, walleye, sauger, saugeye,and muskellunge. Please refer to thePublic Waters Section of this guide onthe specific waterbody that you arefishing for any special regulations.

Black Bass (largemouth,smallmouth, and spotted)

Daily bag limit can contain only oneblack bass of 21 inches or longer,statewide.• Largemouth Bass:

12-inch minimum – Privately ownedwaters and the Missouri River between

Nebraska and Iowa and betweenNebraska and Missouri.

15-inch minimum – Statewide on allgovernment or publicly owned,controlled or managed waters, alsoincluding DeSoto National WildlifeRefuge (Washington County), SnyderBend Lake (Dakota and Thurstoncounties) and Lake Yankton (CedarCounty). Exceptions to this regulationare those waters that are regulated byeither a 21-inch minimum or catch andrelease on all black bass species.• Smallmouth and Spotted Bass:

12-inch minimum – Statewide on allpublicly owned, controlled or managedwaters, including the Missouri Riverbetween Nebraska and Iowa andbetween Nebraska and Missouri.

KNOW WHAT YOU CAUGHTWhite Bass• Anal fin spines stair-stepped• Broken lateral stripes• One tooth patch on base oftongue

Yellow Bass• Has yellow cast• Six or seven lateral stripes, three are

above lateral line• Lines are broken toward tail• Second and third anal spine same length

White Perch• Second and third anal spine same length• Sides plain, no stripes

Wiper• Broken horizontal lines• Usually two tooth patches

on base of tongue

White Bass

Wiper

Yellow Bass

White Perch

Tooth patch

Tooth patches

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while ice-fishing. Each ice-fishing linemust be under direct supervision andwithin unaided observation of theangler. Holes made for ice-fishing maynot exceed 10 inches in diameter onany area controlled by the Commission.

A special $5 permit is required for apermanent shelter on state recreationand wildlife management area lakes.Applications and regulations areavailable from conservation officers,Commission offices or by mail from theGame and Parks Commission, Box30370, Lincoln, NE 68503. This doesnot apply to temporary shelters usedand removed each day.

Rivers or Streams: A total of 15hooks are allowed, ranging from 15lines with a single hook attached, tothree lines with a maximum of fivehooks attached. Anglers must be atleast one-half mile from any lake, pondor reservoir that is associated with ariver or stream. These can be rods and

reels, poles, bank lines, or set lines thatin some way are attached to the bankand not free-floating. Float lines areillegal in Nebraska. Float lines aredefined, as any line not attached to theshoreline or a pole. All bank lines andsetlines must contain identification, toinclude the angler’s name, addressand fishing-permit number or currentdriver’s license number. Note: Uponcompletion of fishing, all bank lines andset lines must be removed.

SNAGGINGSnagging of paddlefish and nongame

fish is permitted only in the MissouriRiver under season dates and limitsspecified in the Paddlefish andSnagging of Nongame Fish section. Allother waters of the state are closed tosnagging for all species at all times. Allfish that are snagged accidentally orotherwise foul-hooked must bereturned to the water immediately.

BAIT REGULATIONSBaitfish, listed amphibians, and

crayfish may not be sold, except bypermit. For commercial purposes (baitdealers, private aquaculturists, andnonresident fish dealers), refer to theofficial regulations supplied with yourpermit. The following regulations applyonly to bait obtained for personal use. Itis unlawful to take baitfish, listedamphibians, or crayfish from any lake,reservoir, or bayou unless otherwisestated below. Digging and trapping forbait or any other purpose is prohibitedon all state-owned or controlled areas.Seining for baitfish, listed amphibians,or crayfish is allowed on streamslocated on SRAs and WMAs unless thestream is listed as closed. Allnonbaitfish, of whatever size, takenwhile netting or seining for bait, must beimmediately returned to the waters fromwhich taken. The bag and possessionlimit of baitfish and listed amphibians forpersonal use is 100.

Gizzard shad and alewife may betaken for use as bait by legal dip netsfrom lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and below

• Striped Bass, White Bass and theirhybridsDaily bag limit – 3 (no more than 1longer than 18 inches)Elwood Reservoir (Gosper County),Stagecoach Reservoir (LancasterCounty and Willow Creek Reservoir(Pierce County)Daily bag limit – 1Bridgeport SRA (Morrill County),Fremont SRA (Dodge County), Fort Kearny SRA (Kearney County),Louisville SRA (Cass County), andWindmill SRA (Buffalo County)

Total catch and releaseBranched Oak Reservoir (LancasterCounty)

• Northern PikeDaily bag limit – 1Cottonmill Lake (Buffalo County)Daily bag limit – 10Box Butte Reservoir (Dawes County)The daily bag limit of 10 pike caninclude only 1 pike over 34 inchesand 9 less than 28 inches or all 10under 28 inches. Possession limit is20.

• PanfishDaily bag limit – 10Total catch and release. Pleaserefer to the Public Waters Section forthe individual waters managed withthese regulations.

• Channel catfishDaily bag limit – 3Please refer to the Public WatersSection for the individual watersmanaged with this regulation.Total catch and release Fort Kearny SRA #2 (KearneyCounty), Two Rivers SRA Lake #3and #4 (Douglas County), WildwoodLake (Lancaster County) andWindmill SRA #3 (Buffalo County).

• Flathead catfishTotal catch and release Branched Oak Reservoir (LancasterCounty)NOTE: Urban lakes are usually

managed with restrictive harvest tomaintain a quality fishery. Be sure to

check for special regulations in thePublic Waters Section for each specificlake prior to fishing.

LENGTH LIMITS ANDCLEANING OF FISH

Where length and bag limits apply,fish cannot be filleted until fishing iscompleted for the day and anglers areoff the water. Fish species subject to abag limit and possession limit, but not alength limit, can be processed prior totransport if the fillets are kept in onepiece until cooked, so the bag andpossession limits can be determined.Fish species subject to a length limitcannot be possessed with more thanthe gills, viscera and scales removedwhile on the water, wading or engagedin fishing. Any fish in possession whileactively fishing or on the water will besubject to length and bag limits thatapply to the water being fished. Onceoff the water, the fish can be filleted fortransportation and storage.

Know what you caught. When indoubt – release the fish unharmed.

HOOK-AND-LINEREGULATIONS

Hook-and-line fishing is allowedyear-round throughout the state (noclosed season), except as noted or asposted at an area. Definition of a hook:one hook means a single, double, ortreble-pointed hook. All hooks attachedto an artificial bait or lure shall becounted as one hook.

Ponds, Lakes or Reservoirs:Anglers are limited to no more than twolines, with a maximum of two hooks oneach line, with these being any type ofattached line (rod and reel or fishingpole) on all lakes, ponds or reservoirsor in their inlets, outlets and canalswithin one-half mile of these bodies ofwater, with the exception of ice-fishingline limits. This includes Lewis andClark Lake from Gavins Point Damupstream to the Santee boat ramp inKnox County, Nebraska.

Ice-Fishing: A total of five lines withtwo hooks on each line are permitted

LAKE AND RIVER LEVELINFORMATION ON THE

INTERNETAnglers can find current waterlevel information online for manyof Nebraska’s large reservoirs.• www.usbr.gov/gp/water/rflow.cfm

(Calamus, Harlan County,Medicine Creek, Merritt, RedWillow, Swanson and otherBureau of Reclamation waters)

• www.cnppid .com/Elevat ion_Flows2.htm (McConaughy,Jeffrey, Elwood, Johnson)

• w w w . n p p d . c o m / A b o u t _ U s /Energy_Facilities/facilities/water_data.asp (Ogallala, Sutherland,Maloney, and canals)

• www.farwellid.com/index.html(Sherman)

Nebraska stream and river gauges• http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ne/

nwis/current/?type=flow

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taken. Dead carp, carpsucker, bullhead,buffalo, gar, quillback, gizzard shad,alewife or bowfin may be transported foruse as bait. Sport fish can be used forbait: (1) if they have been legallyacquired from a licensed aquaculturistor a nonresident fish dealer. The anglermust keep a legible receipt or invoicefrom the dealer listing the date, seller’sname and address; and number andsize of each species sold, or (2) if theyare captured using hook and line andused at the body of water from whichthey were captured. In the latter case,the angler will be required to follow boththe length and bag limits that areenforced on that body of water.

NO-LIVE-BAITFISH AREASThe following areas do not allow the

use or possession of live baitfish:• Chalkrock Lake (Cedar County)

• Cottonmill Lake (Buffalo County)• Crescent Lake National Wildlife

Refuge (Garden County)• Frye Lake (Grant County)• Holmes Lake (Lancaster County)• Meadowlark Lake (Seward County)• Olive Creek Lake (Lancaster County)• Pibel Lake (Wheeler County)• Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

(Cherry County)• Wildwood Lake (Lancaster County)• Yankee Hill Lake (Lancaster County)

Note: Check the Public FishingAreas section for additional urbanwaters where live baitfish areprohibited.

White Perch: It is illegal to transportor possess live white perch away fromthe body of water from which they werecaught.

dams and other artificial obstructions fora distance of 200 yards below suchobstructions. Live shad and alewife canonly be used in the body of water inwhich they were captured (see sectionon cast nets). Shad and alewife may betaken by legal seine or dip net in streams,except those streams closed to thetaking of baitfish or bait by such method.The bag and possession limits are 100.

Below Dams: The seining ofbaitfish, listed amphibians, or crayfish

is unlawful for a distance of 200 yardsbelow any dam or spillway. In thesewaters, baitfish, listed amphibians, andcrayfish can be taken by legal baitfishdip nets for personal use only.

Restricted Species: It is unlawful tosell, transport, or offer for sale as bait,any live carp, carpsucker, bullhead,buffalo, gar, quillback, gizzard shad,alewife or bowfin. Live fish of thosespecies may be used for bait only in thesame waters from which they are legally

• all sunfish hybrids• American eel• black crappie• blue catfish• bluegill• brook trout• brown trout• burbot• channel catfish• chinook salmon• cutthroat trout• flathead catfish• goldeye

• grass pickerel• green sunfish• largemouth bass• muskellunge• northern pike• orangespotted sunfish• paddlefish• pumpkinseed• rainbow trout• redear sunfish• rock bass• sauger• saugeye

• shovelnose sturgeon• skipjack herring• smallmouth bass• spotted bass• striped bass• striped bass hybrid

(wiper)• tiger muskellunge• walleye• white bass• white crappie

SPORT FISHThe following fish species are designated as sport fish:

GAME FISHIs defined to include all baitfish, commercial fish and sport fish:

PANFISHThe following fish species are designated as panfish:

COMMERCIAL FISHThe following fish species are designated as commercial fish:

• all sunfish hybrids• black crappie • bluegill• green sunfish

• orangespotted sunfish• pumpkinseed• redear sunfish• rock bass

• white crappie• yellow perch

SUNFISHThe following fish species are designated as sunfish:

• all sunfish hybrids• bluegill

• green sunfish• orangespotted sunfish

• pumpkinseed• redear sunfish

• black bullhead• freshwater drum

• yellow bullhead • yellow perch

Fish Species Categorization

• devil crayfish• northern crayfish• northern leopard frog

• papershell crayfish• plains leopard frog• ringed crayfish

• tiger salamander

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIESThe following fish species are designated as Threatened or Endangered in

Nebraska and are not legal to possess:

BAITFISHThe following fish species are designated as baitfish:

The following amphibians and crustaceans are covered under the baitfish regulations:

• blacknose shiner• finescale dace• lake sturgeon

• northern redbelly dace• pallid sturgeon• pearl dace

• sturgeon chub• topeka shiner

NONGAME FISHAll species that do not appear

on any of the above lists are considered nongame.

• alewife• bigmouth shiner• brassy minnow• creek chub• emerald shiner• fathead minnow

• gizzard shad• golden shiner• goldfish• longnose dace• plains killifish• red shiner

• river shiner• sand shiner• stoneroller• suckermouth minnow• white sucker

Fish Species Categorization

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illegal to dump baitfish into a body ofwater. You could be destroying yourown fishing!

TROUT WATERSIt is unlawful to possess a dip/landing

net or seine of any type on troutstreams in Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Morrill,Garden and Keith counties that aretributaries to the North Platte River andLake McConaughy, including: Pumpkin,Red Willow, Wildhorse, Stuckenhole,Ninemile, Tub Springs, Winter, Sheep,Dry Sheep, Spotted Tail, Dry SpottedTail, Otter, Clear, Lonergan, UpperDugout, Indian, Silvernail Drain andCedar creeks.

It is unlawful to take or attempt totake sport or nongame fish by bow andarrow or spearing or to take or attemptto take by seine or trap any bait orminnows in any of the following troutstreams:Antelope County: Verdigre Creek andall tributaries.Brown County: Bone Creek and alltributaries, Long Pine Creek and alltributaries, Plum Creek and all-tributaries and Fairfield Creek.Box Butte County: Niobrara River.Cherry County: Middle Loup Riverand all tributaries, North Loup Riverand all its tributaries, Schlagel Creek,Fairfield Creek, Snake River and alltributaries, and Plum Creek and alltributaries.Cheyenne County: Lodgepole Creekwest of Brownson.Dawes County: Chadron Creek, BigBordeaux Creek, Little BordeauxCreek, White River above Crawford,Niobrara River from Box ButteReservoir west to the Wyoming borderand all tributaries, Dead Horse Creek,Squaw Creek and White Clay Creek.Garden County: Blue Creek.Holt County: Steel Creek and North,Middle and South branches of VerdigreCreek.Hooker County: Dismal River and alltributaries.

Keith County: Otter Creek, WhitetailCreek, and Lonergan Creek and alltributaries.Kimball County: Lodgepole Creekand all tributaries.Knox County: North, Middle andSouth branches of Verdigre Creek andall tributaries above the town ofVerdigre, and Steel Creek.Loup County: Gracie Creek.Morrill County: Red Willow Creek,Cedar Creek, Greenwood Creek,Wildhorse Creek, Lawrence Fork Creek,Silvernail Drain, Indian Creek,Stuckenhole Creek and Pumpkin Creekbelow Nebraska Highway 88.Rock County: Long Pine Creek.Scotts Bluff County: Ninemile Creek,Winters Creek, Tub Springs, WetSpotted Tail Creek, Dry Spotted TailCreek, Sheep Creek, Dry SheepCreek, Stuckenhole Creek, AkersDraw, Mitchell Drain, Moffat Drain,Alliance Drain and Bayard Drain.Sheridan County: Snake River,Larabee Creek, White Clay Creek,Pine Creek, Deer Creek and LittleBordeaux Creek.Sioux County: Sheep Creek Drain,Dry Sheep Creek Drain, Dry SpottedTail Creek, Spotted Tail Creek,Niobrara River and all tributaries,White River, Soldier Creek and alltributaries, Monroe Creek, SowbellyCreek and Hat Creek.Webster County: Elm Creek.

ARCHERY/SURFACESPEARFISHING

Game fish may be taken by bow andarrow from July 1 through Dec. 31 fromsunrise to sunset, statewide. Gamefish may not be taken with surfacespears. Nongame fish may be taken byarchery or surface spear statewidefrom sunrise to sunset between Sept. 1and March 31 and 24 hours a day fromApril 1 through Aug. 31.

Only hand-drawn longbows (includingcompound bows) are legal. A disabledperson who has a medical certificate

Dumping Baitfish: It is illegal torelease your baitfish, or any fish caughtfrom a different body of water, intopublic waters.

Exporting: Up to 100 legally capturedbaitfish and/or listed amphibians may beexported by a resident for personal usefor fishing outside the state. No otherbaitfish taken from Nebraska watersmay be transported out of the state inany manner, except baitfish artificiallypropagated in man-made impoundmentsby licensed aquaculturists.

Importing: It is unlawful to import ortransport carp, carpsucker, buffalo,quillback, gar, gizzard shad, alewife orbowfin into the state for use as bait.Special permits are required for aperson to import and sell bait or baitfish.

Baits and Scents: Cutbait is legal ifthe fish used has been legally acquiredand the size, bag and possession limitsfor that species and body of water havebeen followed. It also is legal to chumfor fish using non-harmful baits. Aniseoil and other scents that do not stun,kill, or harm fish are permitted.

Leopard Frogs & Tiger Salamanders:All regulations that cover the legal useof baitfish also apply to the use ofleopard frogs and tiger salamanders.

Crayfish: There is no limit on thenumber of crayfish a person maypossess. Anyone over the age of 16must have a bait dealer’s license inorder to sell crayfish. Crayfish may becaptured by hook and line, by hand, orby legal fish nets and traps asdescribed below.

Fish Nets and Traps: Thepossession or use of nets, traps andelectrical gear capable of stunning fishis prohibited except for the following:• Baitfish seines of one-fourth inch

nonmetallic square mesh only andnot more than 20 feet long and fourfeet deep.

• Baitfish dip nets of one-fourth inch,nonmetallic square mesh. Neitherlength nor width may exceed 36inches.

• Baitfish and bait traps of one-fourthinch square mesh material with a

length of 24 inches or less, a diameterof 16 inches or less and a throat oneinch or less in diameter. All minnowtraps shall be raised and the baitfishremoved at least every 24 hours.

• Landing nets, made of non-metallicmesh, used only for landing fishcaught on hook-and-line.

CAST NETSCast nets may be used to collect bait

with the following restrictions:Cast nets may be used only on the

following bodies of water: CalamusReservoir, Davis Creek Reservoir,Elwood Reservoir, Enders Reservoir,Farwell South Reservoir, GallagherCanyon Reservoir, Harlan CountyReservoir, Jeffrey Reservoir, JohnsonLake, Lake Maloney, Medicine CreekReservoir, Lake McConaughy, PhillipsCanyon Reservoir, Plum CreekReservoir, Red Willow Reservoir,Sherman Reservoir, SutherlandReservoir, Swanson Reservoir and theTri-County Canal from the diversiondam in Lincoln County to the J-2 return.• Only cast nets up to 10 feet in

diameter with a mesh size no largerthan three-eighths inches squaremeasure are legal gear.

• Cast nets may be used only duringthe months of July, August,September, October and November.

• Cast nets may be used to collectgizzard shad and alewife only.

• Live gizzard shad and alewife onlymay be used for bait the same daythey were captured and only in thesame body of water where they werecollected.

FISH STOCKINGIt is unlawful to release any non-

native fish, reptile or amphibian inwaters of the state or to release any fishin any public waters in the state exceptin those waters from which it came,without written authorization from theGame and Parks Commission.

NOTICE: DO NOT transfer any fishfrom one lake or stream to another. It is

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THREATENED ANDENDANGERED SPECIESIt is unlawful to take by seine, dip net,

or trap any baitfish in the followingstreams that contain threatened andendangered fish species:Cherry County: Brush Creek west ofBrownlee, and Gordon Creek west ofNebraska Highway 61.Dawes County: Niobrara River east ofBox Butte Reservoir and west of U.S.Highway 385.Keya Paha County: CottonwoodCreek, East Holt Creek and Holt CreekMadison County: Taylor Creek west ofU.S. Highway 81.

BULLFROGSBullfrog season runs Aug. 15 through

Oct. 31. The bag limit is eight bullfrogsper person. They may be captured onlyby hand, by the use of a hand net orhook-and-line. Artificial light may beused when taking bullfrogs. Bullfrogsmust measure 4½ inches from snout tovent or be released. Only the entrailsmay be removed prior to transport.

SNAPPING TURTLESSnapping turtles may be taken year-

round, and limits are 10 in the daily bagand 20 in possession. They may betaken only by hand, hand net, hook-and-line, bow-and-arrow or gaff hook.

MUSSELS (CLAMS)Mussels may be taken year-round by

hand, hand net or hook-and-line. Thelimit is 10 daily and 20 in possession.

BORDER WATERSMissouri River (South Dakota, Iowa

and Missouri): Anglers holding a validNebraska, South Dakota, Iowa orMissouri sport fishing license or permitmay fish all waters of the MissouriRiver in the state they are licensed, aswell as Missouri River waters of thestate immediately across the river.

Waters of the Missouri River aredefined to include all flowing portions

and backwaters, sloughs and chutesthat draw water from the MissouriRiver. Oxbows and backwatersseparated from the Missouri River byland are included if the state boundaryline passes through some part of suchwaters.

Mouths of tributaries may be fishedonly in the state that the angler islicensed. Anglers may fish from eitherbank or boats. Anglers fishing in thestate for which they do not hold afishing permit must abide by the morerestrictive of the two state’sregulations. Both Iowa and Missouriresident anglers can fish waters ofHamburg Bend WMA and theNebraska portion of the Missouri Riverfrom the chute entrance (adjacent toIowa) to the chute exit (adjacent toMissouri.

ATVS AND SNOWMOBILESFOR ICE-FISHING

Snowmobiles, all-terrain andmotorized off-highway amphibiousvehicles may be operated on thefrozen surface of the followingdesignated lakes, unless otherwiseposted as being closed: Bluestem,Branched Oak, Conestoga, OliveCreek, Pawnee, Stagecoach, WagonTrain, Enders, Medicine Creek, RedWillow, Swanson, Box Butte, Merritt,Oliver, Sherman, Elwood, Sutherlandand Calamus Reservoirs; FremontLakes, Gallagher Canyon, JohnsonLake, Lake Maloney, LakeMcConaughy, Lake Minatare, LakeOgallala, Lewis and Clark Lake,Louisville Lakes, Rockford Lake,Summit Lake, Willow Creek Lake,Walgren Lake, Willow Lake (BrownCounty), Big Alkali Lake, andCottonwood-Steverson Lake. Thesevehicles may be operated on theseareas only from one-half hour beforesunrise until 9 p.m., or as posted. It isrecommended that these vehicles notbe used unless the ice thickness is aminimum of eight inches.

on file with the Commission may use acrossbow or a bow fitted with adrawlock type device. Arrows mayhave only one point, which must bebarbed, and must be attached by a lineto the bow at the time the arrow isreleased. For surface spearing, onlyhand spears are legal. All spearingdevices must be barbed.

The following waters are closed year-round: Two Rivers, Louisville, FortKearny, Fremont, Mormon Island andWindmill SRAs; Platte River and EugeneT. Mahoney State Parks, and troutstreams (see Trout Waters section).

UNDERWATERSPEARFISHING

Lawful spear guns include handspears, rubber band-powered spearguns, compressed air spearguns andspring-loaded spear guns. All spearsused on powered spear guns must beattached to a lanyard no more than 20feet long. Underwater spearfishing isnot permitted within 100 yards of anydesignated swimming or water-ski jumparea, boat dock, boat ramp, or spillway.

SeasonsGame fish: July 1 through Dec. 31 in

waters listed below. Bag, possessionand length limits are the same as forhook and line, except that there is adaily bag limit of 2 walleyes and apossession limit of 4 walleyes in effecton all lakes listed below. Hours aresunrise to sunset.

Nongame Fish: Open year-round inwaters listed below. There are no size,bag or possession limits. Hours aresunrise to sunset.

Waters Open to All Species• Privately owned lakes, with permission

of the lake owner• Lake McConaughy, Keith County• Lake Ogallala, Keith County• Lake Minatare, Scotts Bluff County• Box Butte Reservoir, Dawes County• Lewis and Clark Lake, Knox County• Harlan County Reservoir

• Enders Reservoir, Chase County• Elwood Reservoir, Gosper County• Hugh Butler (Red Willow) Reservoir,

Frontier and Red Willow counties• Harry Strunk (Medicine Creek)

Reservoir, Frontier County• Sutherland Reservoir, Lincoln County• Maloney Reservoir, Lincoln County• Jeffrey Reservoir, Lincoln County• Johnson Reservoir, Gosper and

Dawson counties• Sherman Reservoir, Sherman County• Swanson Reservoir, Hitchcock County• Merritt Reservoir, Cherry County• Calamus Reservoir, Loup and Garfield

counties

Waters Open to Nongame Fish Species Only

• Buffalo County - Union Pacific SRA,War Axe SRA, Bassway Strip WMA,Bufflehead WMA, Kea Lake WMA, KeaWest WMA, East Odessa WMA, BlueHole West WMA, West Elm CreekWMA, and North Kearney Rest Stop.• Dawson County - Dogwood WMAs,Cozad WMA, Cozad West WMA,Willow Island WMA, and EastGothenburg WMA• Hall County - Cheyenne SRA, WestWood River WMA and Alda DOR• Phelps County - Sandy Channel SRA

DIVER’S FLAGA diver’s flag must be displayed on

the water on a float or buoy when divingor underwater spearfishing. Divers andunderwater spearfishers must remainwithin 150 feet of the flag. The flag mustbe at least 12 inches square, with a redbackground and white diagonal stripethat is one-fifth the width of the flag. Thewhite stripe must run from the top of thehoist to the bottom of the flag. It isunlawful to display this flag when divingor spearfishing is not in progress.

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Oct. 1 in order to apply for a snaggingpermit (see section on PaddlefishTags). A paddlefish must be taggedimmediately in the dorsal fin with theangler’s tag upon addition to the creel.Any paddlefish tag that is locked priorto attachment, altered or modified shallbe void and WILL NOT BEREPLACED. Only one hook may beused when snagging, and the gapbetween the point of the hook and theshank may not exceed one-half inch.

The daily bag and possession limitsare the total number of tags issued toan individual. A harvest quota will bemanaged by issuing a limited numberof paddlefish tags with a limit of nomore than two tags per person. (Seesection on Paddlefish Tags). Allpaddlefish anglers are required to castfor and hook their own fish. Allpaddlefish between 35 and 45 incheslong (measured along the centerline ofthe fish, lying flat, from the front marginof the eye to the natural fork of the tail),must be returned to the waterimmediately. The slot limit is designedto protect spawning-size fish.

It is unlawful to use a gaff hook orother penetrating device while landingsnagged paddlefish. Immediatecleaning of a snagged paddlefish isrestricted to the removal of only thesnout, in front of the eye, and theviscera. Final processing may not becompleted until anglers have reachedtheir residence or prior to consumption.Anglers should be prepared to transporta large paddlefish with only the snoutremoved, if they choose to harvest afish more than 45 inches in length.

PADDLEFISH – ARCHERY

Missouri River - Paddlefish may betaken by bow and arrow andpossessed on open waters of theMissouri River only during the seasonthat begins on the second Saturday ofJuly (July 12) and runs for 30consecutive days (through Aug. 10),with legal hours being sunrise tosunset. The area of the Missouri Riveropen to archery paddlefish is fromGavins Point Dam downstream to themouth of the Big Sioux River at milemarker 734, except for a closed areadownstream from Gavins Point Dam toa line that extends from the east end ofthe south cement wall of the dischargechannel northwest to the east end ofthe north wall of the spillway. The areadownstream of this line is open toarchers taking both game andnongame fish during the appropriateseasons.

Paddlefish harvested by bow andarrow may be possessed only on theMissouri River during the season in thedesignated open area. All paddlefisharchery anglers must obtain and havein their possession a paddlefish tag inaddition to a fishing permit. Applicantsmust be 12 years old by the secondSaturday of July to apply (see sectionon Paddlefish Tags). Any paddlefishlanded must be tagged immediately inthe dorsal fin with the angler’s tag. Anypaddlefish tag that is locked shut priorto attachment, altered, or modifiedshall be void and WILL NOT BEREPLACED. A harvest quota will bemanaged by issuing a limited numberof paddlefish tags with a limit of nomore than two tags per person. Onlythe head, viscera and tail may beremoved from archery-harvested

NEW PADDLEFISH PERMIT SYSTEM

Interest in harvesting paddlefish,either by archery or snagging, alwayshas been high. Over the past severalyears, paddlefish harvest has beenregulated through a lottery in whichanglers paid a $5 fee to apply. Sincemore applications were received forboth archery and snagging than theharvest quota allowed, some anglersdid not receive a harvest tag for severalyears. The lottery was designed to givepreference to applicants who either didnot apply the previous year or failed tobe selected for a tag, over anglers whohad a tag the previous year.

A new system will start in 2008.Paddlefish permits will be handled in amanner similar to Big Game permits. Apermit fee of $21 (includes $1 issuancefee) has been established, eliminatingthe $5 application fee. Also, a truepreference point system is beingestablished, so each year an anglerapplies but fails to receive a paddlefishpermit, they will receive a preferencepoint. With this system, thoseapplicants with the highest number ofpreference points will be selected firstto receive a permit. If permits remainafter awarding permits to the group withthe highest number of preferencepoints, the group of applicants with thenext highest number of preferencepoints will be entered into the selectionprocess. Each preference point groupis randomly sorted. If two applicantssubmit a buddy application, priority willbe given based on the lowest number ofpoints possessed by either applicant.Buddy permit applicants must be bothresidents or both non-residents in orderto be eligible for permits. Those anglerswho applied for paddlefish tags in 2007,but failed to receive one will beawarded a preference point going intothe 2008 selection process. No seconddrawing will be conducted; rather, anyremaining permits will be awarded on afirst-come, first-serve basis. Permitapplication information and form can be

found on pages 22 and 23 well as ourwebsite-www.OutdoorNebraska.org.Lastly, all paddlefish anglers must alsopossess a valid Nebraska fishingpermit.

PADDLEFISH AND SNAGGING OF

NONGAME FISH

Missouri River - Snagging ofpaddlefish and nongame fish ispermitted from the Gavins Point Damdownstream to the mouth of the BigSioux River at mile marker 734, exceptfor a closed area that extendsdownstream from Gavins Point Dam toa line that extends from the east end ofthe south cement wall of the dischargechannel northwest to the east end ofthe chalk point. However, snagging offthe north wall of the spillway isprohibited. All snaggers must obtainand have in their possession anunfilled paddlefish tag while activelysnagging, in addition to a valid fishingpermit, if required. From Gavins PointDam to 0.6 mile downstream, they mayfish only with a Nebraska resident ornonresident fishing permit or a SouthDakota resident permit. In theremainder of the river open tosnagging, South Dakota nonresidentpermits also are valid.

Paddlefish harvested by snaggingmay be possessed only on theMissouri River during the open seasonin the designated open area. All inlandwaters are closed to paddlefishharvest. The snagging season runsonly from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31.Legal hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Applicants must be 12 years old by

Discharge Channel

ClosedArea No Snagging

off Wall

Cement Wall

Chalk Point

Spillway

Closed Area

CementWall

Discharge

Channel

Spillway

Cement

Wall

Rock

Rock

HOW TO MEASUREA PADDLEFISH

LENGTH

20 21

FISH SALVAGE INIRRIGATION CANALS

The Commission has implementedregulations affecting fish salvageactivities on dewatered irrigationcanals.

The following list summarizes theregulations for fish salvage of irrigationcanals:• Fish salvage is restricted to canals

listed in the regulations.• An application must be filled out,

approved by the Commission, andcarried by parties conducting fishsalvage on canals.

• Stocking fish in any body of waterwith fish salvaged from irrigationcanals must be approved on thesalvage application form.

• Salvaged sport fish taken for humanconsumption are subject to allstatewide length, daily bag andpossession limits.

• Salvaged baitfish must comply withbait collection regulations.

• All approved fish salvaged fromirrigation canals must be reported tothe Commission on the report formprovided.

The following is a list of canals wherethe Commission may authorizesalvage activities during dewatering:PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE:

Buffalo County: Kearney CanalDawson County: Buffalo CreekSupply Canal, Cozad IrrigationCanal, Dawson County IrrigationCanal, Farmers and Merchant CanalDawson and Buffalo Counties: Elm Creek CanalDawson and Lincoln Counties:Gothenburg Canal, Orchard andAlfalfa Canal, Six-Mile IrrigationCanal, Thirty-Mile Irrigation CanalGosper County: E67 Canal System Gosper and Phelps Counties: E65Canal SystemGosper, Phelps and KearneyCounties: Phelps County CanalSystemKeith and Lincoln Counties:Sutherland Supply CanalLincoln County: Maloney SupplyCanal

REPUBLICAN RIVER DRAINAGE:Franklin County: Franklin PumpCanalFranklin and Harlan Counties:Naponee Canal

paddlefish during transport until theplace of residence is reached or thepaddlefish is consumed.

NEBRASKA PADDLEFISHHARVEST TAGS

The paddlefish is a limited andprecious resource, and it is importantthat the harvest be closely regulated. Atag will be required for both archersand snaggers who want to harvest apaddlefish.

It is important to remember that oneperson can have no more than twopermits/tags for the archery seasonand two for the snagging season.Permits and tags are nontransferable,

must be in possession while activelypursuing paddlefish, and the tag mustbe immediately attached and lockedshut to the dorsal fin of a harvestedpaddlefish. Archers will have a 30-consecutive-day season, beginning onthe second Saturday of July (July 12),and snaggers will have a 31-dayseason, Oct. 1-31.

Office use only. Application numberResident/Nonresident Fee $21

APPLICATION FOR PADDLEFISH PERMIT❏ Paddlefish Archery Permit ❏ Paddlefish Snagging Permit

First name Middle initial Last name

Address - Street / P.O. Box / Rural Route and Box Number

City State Zip

Daytime Telephone Social Security Number (last 4 digits)

Date of birth - Month: Day: Year: Sex:

Hair color: Eye color: Height: ft. in. Weight:

❏ Buddy permit (please attach second application form along with fee and enclose in same envelope)

E-mail address

❏ VISA ❏ MasterCardCard number: Exp. date

Please note that the applicant must be 12 years old by the second Saturday ofJuly to apply for an archery tag and by October 1 to apply for a snagging permit.

Permit cost is $21 (includes $1 issuance fee)Send this application with appropriate fee to:

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2200 N 33rd St. P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370

( )

Paddlefish Archery PermitApplication Periods

Application Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 1 - 30*Any remaining permits after the first drawing will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis with sales starting at 1:00 P.M. CDT on the first working day of June

Paddlefish Snagging PermitApplication Periods

Application Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 1 - 31*Any remaining permits after the first drawing will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis with sales starting at 1:00 P.M. CDT on the first working day of Sept.

*All application periods begin at 1 p. m. Central Daylight Savings Time. Mailed applica-tions must be received in the Lincoln office by 5 p. m. on the last day of the applicationperiod. Online applications end at midnight.

General Information

22 23

designated release areas and on-the-water measurements and immediaterelease of fish (no on-shore weigh-inceremony). A Fishing TournamentApproval Certificate must be present atthe tournament site. The tournamentdates and forms will be listed on theCommission’s Web site,www.OutdoorNebraska.org.

Tournament Results: A “tournamentresults form” will be sent to thetournament director. This form must becompleted and returned to the FisheriesDivision within 30 days following thecompletion of the fishing tournament.Failure to return the form or provide therequested information will result indenial of future fishing-tournamentrequests for at least one year.

Tagged Fish: The use of tagged orotherwise marked fish is prohibited in

any fishing tournament, derby or contestthat is held on: (1) waters owned orcontrolled by the Commission; and (2)waters stocked by the Commissionduring the preceding 24 months,excluding private lakes not owned bythe state or other governmental entity.

FREE FISHING DAYMAY 17

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day isintended to attract those who no longerfish or who have never fished and togive them an opportunity to do sowithout purchasing a permit. It is heldon the Saturday prior to Memorial Dayweekend. Anglers, both resident andnonresident, can take advantage of thatday by taking a nonangling friend to anybody of water in the state and showingthem how much fun fishing can be.

Franklin, Harlan and WebsterCounties: Franklin CanalFurnas and Harlan Counties:Cambridge CanalHitchcock and Red Willow Counties:Culbertson Canal, Driftwood CanalSystem, Meeker Canal SystemRed Willow County: Red WillowCanal Red Willow and Furnas Counties:Bartley Canal, Frenchman-CambridgeCanalWebster and Nuckolls Counties:Courtland Canal, Superior Canal

LOUP RIVER DRAINAGE:Custer, Valley and ShermanCounties: Middle Loup Public Powerand Irrigation District 1, 2, 3 and 4Sherman and Howard Counties:Farwell Canal System - Main,Central and SouthValley and Sherman Counties:Sherman Feeder CanalFish salvage application and report

forms are available at Commissiondistrict offices in Alliance, Bassett,Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk and NorthPlatte. The Commission district officestaff must approve application formsprior to any salvage efforts. Moredetailed information, including copiesof salvage regulations, is available atthese district offices.

PRIVATE WATERSPermission from the landowner is

required to access any body of water orstream located on private property.Although a private body of water mayreceive fish for stocking from theCommission, the owner controlsaccess to it and anyone fishing it musthave a valid fishing permit. The onlywaters where a fishing permit is notrequired are those entirely on privateland, entirely stocked with privatehatchery-reared fish, and notconnected by inflow or outflow withother waters outside the pond owner’sproperty. An unlicensed angler whocatches fish from such a body of waterand wants to remove them from thepremises must have a written

statement from the pond owner listingthe pond owner’s name and thenumber of fish taken.

After properly accessing a flowingbody of water, an angler may fish whileafloat in a tube, canoe or boat. Anangler or canoeist in a nonpoweredvessel can enter private propertywithout permission only if it’s necessaryto portage around a fence orobstruction. Landowner permission isrequired to operate vehicles, such asall-terrain vehicles, along or in a stream.

LAKE MAPPINGDo you want to have a better

understanding of the bottom contours ofthe lake you are fishing? You are invitedto check out our website –www.OutdoorNebraska.org. Click onthe Fishing icon then go to LakeMapping Program and click on “go”.Now you are ready to check out thevarious maps available for lakes. The listof lakes continues to grow, so be sure tocheck this site throughout the year.

TOURNAMENTS,CONTESTS AND DERBIES

Tournament Registration: All fishingtournaments, derbies or contests heldon publicly owned, controlled ormanaged waters that require an entryfee to participate, must be registeredwith the Commission’s FisheriesDivision at least 45 days prior to theevent. Voluntary information on othertournaments, such as club tournaments,is welcome. An event may be denied ifthe date(s) and location(s) conflicts witha previously approved event. Applicantdenial can also be based on safetyconcerns due to low water conditions oranticipated heavy use that could resultin boat ramp congestion. TheCommission’s Fisheries Division mayimpose special conditions notspecifically covered herein for a fishingtournament, derby, or contest if deemednecessary to protect the resource or toassure public safety. Special conditionsmay include, but are not limited to:aerated live wells, release of live fish,

24

Since 1983, the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation has supported numerous efforts to conserve and maintain the habitat, parklands and wildlife that make Nebraska special.

The Foundation’s focus on the care and preservation of our natural resources helps to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the same opportunities and amenities that we take for granted today.

To learn more about the Foundation, or how your tax-deductible contribution can help this mission continue, please visit our website.

Preserving Nebraska’s natural areas for the future

www.NebraskaGameAndParksFoundation.org

F O U N D AT I O N

N e b r a s k a G a m e & P a r k s

4. The catch must be verified. This maybe done by an employee of theCommission, a permit vendor, awitness or a photograph.

5. Anglers 16 years of age or oldermust possess a current Nebraskafishing permit and enter the permitnumber on the application.

6. Only fish immediately released areeligible for an award based onlength. Any fish kept in a livewell oron a stringer must meet theminimum weight requirement toreceive an award.

7. Anglers may receive only one awardbased on weight per year for eachspecies. There is no limit on thenumber of catch-and-releaseawards.

8. Anglers who release a MasterAngler fish will receive a “Catch andRelease Master Angler” pin inaddition to the Master Anglercertificate.

9. Minimum weights must be met toqualify for a Master Angler Award fora harvested fish.

10. Minimum lengths are used strictlyfor Master Angler Awards for a fishthat was caught and released.

THE MINIMUM SIZEREQUIREMENTS ARE:

American Eel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 in. or 1lb.Bass

Largemouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 in. or 5 lbs.Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 in. or 1 lb.Smallmouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 in. or 3 lbs.

STATE RECORDS / MASTER ANGLERS

If you make an outstanding catch, itmay qualify for either a Game andParks Commission State Record or aMaster Angler Award. Application formsare available from any Commissionoffice, conservation officer or permitvendor, or are found in the FishingGuide or on the Commission’s Web sitewwwOutdoorNebraska.org. Rulesinclude:

STATE RECORD RULES1. Fish MUST be caught in accordance

with Nebraska Fishing Regulationsby rod and reel (not set lines or limblines), underwater spear-fishing,surface spearing, or archery andMUST be taken from Nebraskawaters.

2. Fish MUST be weighed on anaccredited or certified scale. Acommercial measuring tape or stickshould be used to measure the fish.The fish should be measured, fromthe tip of the mouth (closed) to thetip of the tail (tail lobes pressedtogether) with the fish laying flat onthe tape.

3. Only fish that exceed the currentrecord by at least one ounce areeligible for a state record.

4. Two witnesses, one of which MUST

be a permanent employee of theCommission, must witness theweighing and measuring of the fishand sign the application.

5. The angler MUST display aNebraska fishing permit to theCommission employee thatwitnesses the weight.

6. One clear photograph showing aclose-up side view of the fish, andone clear photograph showing theangler with the fish MUSTaccompany the completedapplication form. All photographsbecome the property of theCommission.

7. A Commission fisheries biologistMUST verify the species of fish. Thefish MUST be preserved flat until thespecies is verified.

8. The Commission reserves the rightto collect fish scale, tissue or spinesamples to check fish identification,and to refuse any questionableapplication submitted.

9. The Commission reserves the rightto revoke state records if the recordholder is found in possession ofillegal fishing gear or has been citedfor repeated fishing violations thatcast suspicion on the authenticity ofthe record catch.

10. No fish caught from anyaquaculture or commercial put-and-take facility is eligible.

11. The application must be submittedwithin 30 days of the date the fish iscaught.

MASTER ANGLER RULES1. All fish must be taken from Nebraska

waters.2. If a fish is caught from private

waters, a valid fishing permit isrequired to receive the award.

3. Fish must be taken by hook-and-line. Fish caught on bank lines arenot eligible. Fish must be legallyhooked, played and landed by theapplicant for the award.

MASTER ANGLER / STATE RECORD APPLICATIONPlease print legibly. See rules.

Name

Address City State Zip

Fishing Permit No. Under 16

Species of fish Weight: lbs. oz. Length: in.

Date caught Released: Yes No

Name of lake or stream County where located

Method of fishing: Rod & Reel Archery Surface spearfishing Underwater spearfishing

Type of bait or lure

Where weighed or measured

Address City PhoneWeight or length witnessed by:

1.Signature Address

2.Signature Address

3.Notary Public (for State Record only)

4.Game & Parks Commission official species verification (for State Record only)

Species may be verified after State Record application is received. See State Record rules.Mail to: Fisheries Division, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission,

P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370

26 27

Bridgeport SRA (Morrill Co.) - 78 acres in 5lakes, NW edge of Bridgeport. Bluegill,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass,walleye, yellow perch, rainbow trout (NWlake), wiper (middle lake). Wiper - 18-inchminimum length, daily bag limit of 1;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.Primitive camping; all boats allowed on themiddle pit, all other pits restricted to electricmotor and nonpowered boats.

Buffalo Creek WMA (Scotts Bluff Co.) - 7acres, 4S, 1½W, 1S of Melbeta. Largemouthbass, yellow perch, crappie, channel catfish,rainbow trout. Access via 1-mile foot trail.Dry in 2007, no opportunity in 2008.

Carter P. Johnson Lake (Sioux Co.) - 15acres, Fort Robinson SP. Cabins andcamping. Rainbow trout, largemouth bass,rock bass, crappie, channel catfish. Electricmotor and nonpowered boats allowed,wheelchair-accessible pier.

Chadron City Reservoirs (Dawes Co.) - 20acres in 2 ponds, 5½S of Chadron. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass, yellowperch, rainbow trout. Nonpowered boatsallowed.

Chadron Creek (Dawes Co.) - S of Chadron.Brook and brown trout. Public access atChadron State Park, otherwise privateaccess, permission required.

Chadron State Park Pond (Dawes Co.) - 2acres, 9S of Chadron. Rainbow trout. Boatsnot allowed; wheelchair-accessible deck.Cabins and camping.

Chappell Interstate Lake (Deuel Co.) - 30acres, ½S of Chappell, I-80 Exit 85 -Wheatland Drive. Black crappie, bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass, yellowperch.

Crane Lake (Garden Co.) - 128 acres,Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 22Nof Oshkosh. Yellow perch. Panfish - dailybag limit of 10; No baitfish allowed, onlydead smelt. No camping. Open to fishingNov. 1 - Feb. 15. Fishing allowed duringdaylight hours only. Fisherman must be offthe lake no later than 1 hour after sunset.No boats or float tubes allowed. Limitedopportunity in 2008 due to low water.

Dry Sheep Creek (Sioux Co.) - NW of Morrill.Brown and rainbow trout. Private access,permission required.

Dry Spotted Tail Creek (Sioux Co.) - NW ofMitchell. Brown and rainbow trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

Gilbert-Baker Pond (Sioux Co.) - 2 acres,10N of Harrison. Rainbow trout. Located onthe east portion of Gilbert-Baker WMA.

Goldeneye WMA (Deuel Co.) - 17 acres, 1S,3W of Big Springs. Black crappie, bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass, yellowperch.

Grabel Ponds (Dawes Co.) - 6 acres in 4ponds, Fort Robinson SP. Cabins andcamping.. Rainbow trout, largemouth bass,bluegill, rock bass, channel catfish.

Greenwood Creek (Morrill Co.) - SE ofBridgeport. Brown and rainbow trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

Hat Creek (Sioux Co.) - NE of Harrison. Brooktrout. Private access, permission required.

Ice House Ponds (Dawes Co.) - 6 acres in 3ponds, Fort Robinson SP. Cabins andcamping. Largemouth bass, bluegill.

Isham Dam (Sheridan Co.) - 26 acres, NW ofHay Springs. Bluegill, bullhead, largemouthbass, yellow perch, crappie, channel catfish.Private lake, permission required; all boatsallowed.

Island Lake (Garden Co.) - 711 acres,Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 22Nof Oshkosh. Bluegill, crappie, largemouthbass, yellow perch. Panfish - daily bag limitof 10. No baitfish allowed, only dead smelt.No camping; Electric motor and nonpoweredboats allowed; area open one hour beforesunrise to one hour after sunset.

Laing Lake (Box Butte Co.) - 10 acres,Alliance, W. 18th St. and Box Butte Ave.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Larabee Creek (Sheridan Co.) - N ofRushville, Brook and brown trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

Lodgepole Creek (Kimball Co.) - Kimball toWyoming border. Brown and rainbow trout.Private access, permission required. Subjectto low or no water.

Spotted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 in. or 3 lbs.Striped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 in. or 10 lbs.Striper (hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 in. or 8 lbs.White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 in. or 2.5 lbs

Bluegill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 in. or 1 lb.Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 in. or 10 lbs.Bullhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 in. or 2 lbs.Burbot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 in. or 1 lb.Carp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 in. or 15 lbs.Catfish

Blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 in. or 30 lbs.Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 in. or 12 lbs.Flathead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 in. or 15 lbs

Crappie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 in. or 2 lbs.Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 in. or 5 lbs.Gar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 in. or 8 lbs.Goldeye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 in. or 1.5 lbs.Muskellunge/Tiger Muskie . . . . 40 in. or 15 lbs.Paddlefish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *45 in.Perch

Yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 in. or 1.25 lbs.White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 in. or 1 lb.

Northern Pike . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 in. or 10 lbs.Sauger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 in. or 3 lbs.Saugeye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 in. or 5 lbs.Shovelnose Sturgeon . . . . . . .28 in. or 2.5 lbs.Sucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 in. or 2 lbs.Sunfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 in. or 1 lb.Trout

Brook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 in. or 1 lb.Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 in. or 4 lbs.Rainbow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 in. or 5 lbs.

Walleye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 in. or 8 lbs.*From front of eye to natural fork of tail

PUBLIC FISHING AREASHow to use this guide

The fisheries division divides thestate into six geographic regions, ormanagement districts, with an office ineach district. In this guide, lakes, riversand streams are listed in alphabeticalorder within the district they arelocated. The six districts are; Panhandle(northwest), North-central, Northeast,Southwest, South-central, andSoutheast, presented in that order.Therefore, Sandhills lakes located inNorth-central Nebraska will be found inthe second section of the guide, nearthe front, while lakes around Lincoln inthe southeast will be found in the lastsection, near the back of the guide.

For boating regulations please referto the 2008 Boating Regulation Guide.

Bourdeaux Creek (Dawes Co.) - SE ofChadron. Public access on Big BourdeauxCreek WMA. Brook and brown trout.

Box Butte Reservoir SRA (Dawes Co.) - 1,600acres, 10N of Hemingford. Bluegill, channelcatfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouthbass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch,rock bass. Northern pike – protected slot limitof 28 to 34 inches, daily bag limit of 10, only 1of which may be more than 34 inches withpossession limit being 20. Subject to severesummer drawdown; primitive camping andelectrical hook-ups are available, all boatsallowed.

PANHANDLEThe Panhandle is a haven for troutanglers. Rainbows, browns and brooksabound in the many Pine Ridge and NorthPlatte valley coldwater streams. This areaalso contains several reservoirs and sand-hill lakes that provide excellent walleye,muskie, northern pike and panfish fishing.

DISTRICT I - PANHANDLEAlliance OfficeAl Hanson,Fisheries Supervisor(308) 763-2940Fax (308) 763-2943

Take me, fishingbecause you can thinkabout work later.

28 29

White River (Dawes Co.) - W of Fort Robinson.Cabins and camping. Brown and rainbowtrout. Public access at Fort Robinson StatePark, otherwise private access, permissionrequired.

Whitney Lake (Dawes Co.) - 900 acres, 1½Wof Whitney. Channel catfish, crappie, walleye,yellow perch, white bass. Private irrigationreservoir, access limited. Subject to drawdowns.Public boat ramp on SE corner of the lake.

Wildhorse Creek (Morrill Co.) - N of Bayard.Brown trout. Private access, permissionrequired.

Winters Creek (Scotts Bluff Co.) - NE ofScottsbluff. Brown and rainbow trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

Wood Reserve Ponds (Dawes Co.) - 2 acresin 4 ponds, Soldier’s Creek WildernessArea, Fort Robinson SP. Rainbow trout.Access via 1 mile hike up the middle branchof Soldier Creek.

Arnold Lake SRA (Custer Co.) - 4 acres, ½Sof Arnold, west side of Hwy 40. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass. Denseaquatic vegetation in summer.

Atkinson SRA (Holt Co.) - 5 acres, ½W ofAtkinson. Bluegill, channel catfish, carp,largemouth bass, northern pike. Primitivecamping, electrical hookups. Elkhorn Riveraccess.

Auble Pond (Valley Co.) - 5 acres, BussellPark Rd. and G Street, Ord. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish; rainbow troutseasonally. Largemouth bass - catch andrelease; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Bessey Fish Pond (Thomas Co.) - 3 acres,1W, 1/4S of Halsey - Bessey NationalForest. Camping. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass; rainbow trout stocked inOctober. No motorized boating. Fish-cleaningstation, fishing deck.

Big Alkali WMA (Cherry Co.) - 842 acres,16S, 4W, 1½S of Valentine. Bluegill, carp,channel catfish, black crappie, largemouthbass, northern pike, yellow perch. All boatsallowed, ramp, camping, fishing camp.Snowmobiles and ATVs allowed on ice.

Boardman Creek (Cherry Co.) - 35SW ofValentine. Brown and rainbow trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

Burwell Lake (Ladybird) (Garfield Co.) - 3acres, 1E of Burwell. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish.

Calamus Reservoir SRA (Garfield and LoupCo.) - 5,200 acres, 2W, 5NW of Burwell.Channel catfish, black crappie, northern pike,muskellunge, walleye, wiper, yellow perch,white bass, carp. Walleye - 18-inch minimumlength with only 1 fish more than 22 inchesallowed in the daily bag limit. Modern/primitivecamping; boating on upper lake restricted to 5mph (no wake). Fish-cleaning stations atHomestead Knolls and Nunda Shoals.

Calamus River (Brown Co. and Loup Co.) -Carp, channel catfish, northern pike. Privateaccess, permission required; canoe sitesand camping.

Carney Pond (Holt Co.) - 2.5 acres, O’NeillCity Lake, ½ S on Hwy 281. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. Fisheryrenovated and restocked in 2007.

Clear Lake (Cherry Co.) - 425 acres, 16S, 6W,8S of Valentine to Refuge H.Q. Blackbullhead, bluegill, northern pike, largemouthbass, yellow perch. Northern pike - 28-inchmaximum length. Possession of baitfishprohibited, dead smelt allowed. Possession offish not taken from refuge waters unlawful. Nocamping. Electric motor and nonpoweredboats allowed. Refuge open sunrise to sunset.Aquatic vegetation hampers summer fishing.

Cottonwood Lake SRA (Cherry Co.) - 34acres, ½E, ½S of Merriman. Bluegill,channel catfish, black crappie, largemouthbass, northern pike, yellow perch. Primitivecamping; aquatic vegetation hamperssummer fishing, all boats allowed.

Lake Minatare SRA (Scotts Bluff Co.) -2,100 acres, 12NE of Scottsbluff. Channelcatfish, crappie, smallmouth bass, whitebass, walleye, wiper, yellow perch. Waterswithin 150 feet of the dam are closed tofishing from sunset to sunrise March 1through April 30. Camping; all boatsallowed; closed Oct. 15-Jan. 14 or asposted. Subject to severe drawdowns.

Lake Winters Creek (Scotts Bluff Co.) - 235acres, N of Minatare. Channel catfish, yellowperch, bluegill, largemouth bass. Electricmotor and nonpowered boats allowed;closed Oct. 15-Jan. 14, or as posted. Area isopen sunrise to sunset only. Subject tosevere drawdowns.

Monroe Creek (Sioux Co.) - 4½N of Harrison.Brook trout. Public access on Gilbert-BakerWMA, otherwise private access, permissionrequired.

Morrill Sandpits (Scotts Bluff Co.) - 25 acresin 3 lakes, 3S of Morrill. Black crappie,bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout,yellow perch, channel catfish. Countyowned, permission required, check with theCity of Morrill. No boating or campingallowed. South and Middle sandpitsrenovated and restocked in 2007.

Ninemile Creek (Scotts Bluff Co.) - Brownand rainbow trout. Public access at NineMile Creek WMA 3 E of Minatare.Walk-inaccess. SE of WMA and 1E 2N 1E ofMinatare otherwise permission required.

Niobrara River (Sioux and Dawes Co.) -Brown and rainbow trout. Private access,permission required. Extremely low water insummer. Public access on Agate FossilBeds National Monument.

Oliver Reservoir SRA (Kimball Co.) - 270acres, 10W of Kimball. Bluegill, crappie,largemouth bass, yellow perch, walleye,channel catfish, carp, muskellunge. Primitivecamping, all boats allowed, wheelchair-accessible pier; low water in 2007.

Pine Creek (Sheridan Co.) - 20S of Rushville.Brown trout. Private access, permissionrequired.

Red Willow Creek (Morrill Co.) - E of Bayard.Brown and rainbow trout. Private access,permission required.

Sheep Creek (Sioux Co.) - NW of Morrill.Brown and rainbow trout. Private access,permission required.

Silvernail Drain (Morrill Co.) - E of Northport,Brown and rainbow trout. Private access,permission required.

Smith Lake (Garden Co.) – 225 acres,Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 26Nof Oshkosh. Bluegill, black crappie,largemouth bass, yellow perch. Panfish –daily bag limit of 10. No baitfish allowed,only dead smelt. No camping. Open tofishing Nov. 1 – Feb. 15. Fishing allowedduring daylight hours only. Fisherman mustbe off the lake no later than 1 hour aftersunset. No boats or float tubes allowed.

Smith Lake WMA (Sheridan Co.) - 290 acres,23S of Rushville. Bluegill, black crappie,bullhead, largemouth bass, yellow perch,northern pike, walleye. Panfish – daily baglimit of 10. Primitive camping, boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Handicapaccessible concrete boat ramp.

Soldier Creek (Dawes Co.) - 3W of Crawford.Brook, rainbow and brown trout. Public accessat Fort Robinson State Park and Soldier CreekWilderness Area.

Sowbelly Creek (Sioux Co.) - NE of Harrison.Brook and brown trout. Private access,permission required.

Spotted Tail Creek (Scotts Bluff Co.) - NW ofMitchell. Brown and rainbow trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

Stuckenhole Creek (Scotts Bluff Co.) - W ofBayard. Brown and rainbow trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

Terry’s Pit (Scotts Bluff Co.) - 7 acres,Terrytown. Largemouth bass, channelcatfish, rainbow trout.

Tub Springs (Sioux Co.) - NE of Mitchell.Brown and rainbow trout. Private access,permission required.

Walgren Lake SRA (Sheridan Co.) - 100acres, 5SE of Hay Springs. Bluegill, crappie,bullhead, largemouth bass, northern pike,walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish.Primitive camping; boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake), wheelchair-accessible pier.

White Clay Creek (Sheridan Co.) - NW ofRushville. Brown trout. Private access,permission required.

NORTH-CENTRALThe Sandhills region contains most ofthe natural lakes that occur in the state.These shallow but very productive lakesprovide excellent fishing for northernpike, yellow perch and bluegills.

DISTRICT II - NORTH-CENTRALBassett OfficeJoel Klammer,Fisheries Supervisor (402) 684-2921;Fax (402) 684-2816

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Keller Park SRA (Brown Co.) - 7 acres in 5ponds, 11S of Springview. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass, rainbow trout.Pond Nos. 4 and 5 have catchable trout.Primitive camping.

Long Lake SRA (Brown Co.) - 155 acres,8½W, 21S of Ainsworth. Bullhead, northernpike, yellow perch. Boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake). Primitive camping.

Long Pine Creek (Brown Co.) - Brown andrainbow trout. Public access at Long PineSRA, camping, (1/2NW of Long Pine), LongPine WMA (1N, ¼W of Long Pine), and PineGlen WMA (2E, 8¼N of Long Pine).Remainder of stream is private access,permission required.

Melham Park Lake (Custer Co.) - 4 acres,Broken Bow, north of Memorial Drive, eastof N. 5th Avenue. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Panfish - daily bag limit of10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Merritt Reservoir SRA & WMA (Cherry Co.) -2,900 acres, 26SW of Valentine. Bluegill,yellow perch, bullhead, channel catfish, blackcrappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass,muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, whitebass, yellow perch, carp. The daily bag limit offour may include one walleye from 15 through18 inches and three over 18 inches or fourover 18 inches. but no more than one over 22inches in length allowed in the daily bag. Allboats allowed. Modern and primitive camping.

Middle Loup River (Hooker, Thomas, Blaineand Custer Co.) - Upper river - brown andrainbow trout, Lower river - carp, channelcatfish. Public access at Milburn andArcadia diversions; remainder of stream isprivate access, permission required.

Milburn Diversion (Middle Loup River) (BlaineCo.) - 2 NW of Milburn. Carp, channel catfish.

Minnechaduza Creek (Cherry Co.) -Valentine, below hatchery supply. Rainbowtrout seasonally.

Niobrara River (Brown, Keya Paha, Rockand Boyd Co.) - Channel catfish, sauger,carp. Private access, permission required.

North Loup River (Cherry, Blaine, Loup andGarfield Co.) - Upper river - brown andrainbow trout, Lower river - carp, channelcatfish. Public access at Kent Diversion DamWMA, 5 ½E of Taylor; otherwise privateaccess, permission required.

Overton Lake (Holt Co.) - 135 acres, 21S, 5Eof Newport. Largemouth bass, yellow perch,bluegill. Leased for ice-fishing only, openDec. 1 through March 15. Closed to publicuse the remainder of the year.

Pelican Lake (Cherry Co.) - 798 acres, 16S,6W, 8S of Valentine to Refuge H.Q.Bullhead, bluegill, largemouth bass,northern pike, yellow perch. Northern pike -28-inch maximum length. Possession ofbaitfish prohibited, dead smelt allowed.Possession of fish not taken from refugewaters unlawful. No camping. Electric motorand nonpowered boats allowed. Refugeopen sunrise to sunset. Aquatic vegetationhampers summer fishing.

Plum Creek (Brown Co.) - W of Johnstown.Brown and rainbow trout. Public access atBobcat WMA (10N, 1W, ½N of Ainsworth)and Plum Creek Valley WMA (½W ofJohnston on Hwy. 20, 1.25 S on countyroad). Remainder of stream is privateaccess, permission required. One-acre pondon Plum Creek Valley WMA is stocked withrainbow trout.

Rat and Beaver WMA (Cherry Co.) - 450acres in 2 lakes, 30S, 7W of Valentine.Bullhead, crappie, bluegill, carp, northernpike, yellow perch. Primitive boat ramp.

Schlagel Creek WMA (Schlagel Creek)(Cherry Co.) - 16S, 4W, 4N of Valentine.Brown trout. Private access, permissionrequired, except on Schlagel Creek WMA.

Schoolhouse Lake (Cherry Co.) - 105 acres,24S of Nenzel. Black crappie, bluegill,bullhead, largemouth bass. Private access,permission required.

Shell Lake WMA (Cherry Co.) - 160 acres,3N, 4E, 8N of Gordon. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass, northern pike,yellow perch. Aquatic vegetation hamperssummer fishing. Boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake).

Snake River (Upper Reach) (Cherry Co.) -near Gordon. Brown and rainbow trout.Private access, permission required.

Spencer WMA (Niobrara River) (Holt Co.) -18N of O’Neill. Channel catfish, carp,sauger. Bag limit on channel catfish is 5from the dam downstream to the MissouriRiver. Primitive camping.

Cottonwood-Steverson Lake WMA (CherryCo.) - 680 acres, 30N, 2E of Hyannis.Bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch,muskellunge, carp, walleye, black crappie.Concrete boat ramp, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake). Snowmobiles and ATVsallowed on ice.

Cozad Lake (South Pine WMA) (Brown Co.)- 80 acres, 11S, 2W of Long Pine. Bluegill,yellow perch, largemouth bass.

Cub Creek Lake (Keya Paha Co.) - 27 acres,8½W of Springview. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch,black crappie. Electric motor andnonpowered boats allowed; primitivecamping; NRD-owned lake.

Davis Creek Reservoir (Valley Co.) - 1,145acres, 5S, 1E of North Loup. Bluegill,bullhead, carp, white bass, wiper, crappie,largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch.Concrete boat ramp. Camping. Water levelfluctuates due to irrigation.

Defair Lake WMA (Grant Co.) - 70 acres, 1E,2S, 1/2E of Hyannis. Largemouth bass,yellow perch. Very low water levels in 2007.No opportunity in 2008.

Dewey Lake (Cherry Co.) - 550 acres, 16S,6W, 8S of Valentine to Refuge H.Q. Bluegill,largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch.Northern pike - 28-inch maximum length.Possession of baitfish prohibited, dead smeltallowed. Possession of fish not taken fromrefuge waters unlawful. No camping allowed.Electric motor and nonpowered boats.Refuge open sunrise to sunset. Aquaticvegetation hampers summer fishing.

Dismal River (Blaine and Hooker Co.) -Brown and rainbow trout, channel catfish,carp. Private access, permission required.

Duck Lake (Cherry Co.) - 66 acres, 16S, 6W,8S of Valentine to Refuge H.Q. Bluegill,bullhead, largemouth bass, yellow perch.Possession of baitfish prohibited, dead smeltallowed. Possession of fish not taken fromrefuge waters unlawful. No camping. Electricmotor and nonpowered boats allowed.Refuge open sunrise to sunset. Aquaticvegetation hampers summer fishing.

East Hyannis Lake (Avocet WMA) (Grant Co.)- 120 acres, 1E of Hyannis. Largemouthbass, yellow perch. Shallow lake, densevegetation in summer.

Fairfield Creek (Cherry Co.) - 8N, 2E ofWood Lake to forks or 2½W of NordenRoad on S side of Niobrara River to mouthof creek. Brown and rainbow trout. Privateaccess, permission required, vehicle accessdifficult, most areas accessible by long hike.

Frye Lake WMA (Grant Co.) - 243 acres, 1N,1½E of Hyannis. Bluegill, largemouth bass,yellow perch, channel catfish, walleye, blackcrappie. Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Nolive baitfish can be used or possessed.Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Verylow water levels in 2007 had a negativeimpact on fish population.

Gracie Creek (Loup Co.) - N side of CalamusReservoir. Rainbow trout. Private accessexcept for approximately 200 yardsupstream of Gracie Creek pond, permissionrequired on private land.

Gracie Creek Pond (Loup Co.) - 2 acres, Nside of Calamus Reservoir - 12N, 4E of Taylor.Rainbow trout, carp. Put-and-take troutstocking, wheelchair-accessible deck.Modern and primitive camping.

Hackberry Lake (Cherry Co.) - 680 acres,16S, 6W, 8S of Valentine to Refuge H.Q.Bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch.Possession of baitfish prohibited, dead smeltallowed. Possession of fish not taken fromrefuge waters unlawful. No camping allowed.Electric motor and nonpowered boatsallowed. Refuge open sunrise to sunset.Aquatic vegetation hampers summer fishing.

Home Valley Lake (Cherry Co.) - 220 acres,30N, 2½E, 1N of Hyannis. Bluegill,largemouth bass, yellow perch, blackcrappie, walleye, carp. Part of theCottonwood-Steverson WMA. Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake), portage routefrom Cottonwood-Steverson Lake.Snowmobiles and ATVs allowed on ice.Access to the north side of lake via privateproperty, permission is required.

Hudson Lake (Cherry Co.) - 160 acres, 15S,8W, 1N of Valentine. Largemouth bass,bluegill, yellow perch. Private lake, open tothe public for ice-fishing only.

Hull Lake (Boyd Co.) - 6 acres, ½W, 2S 1W1¼S of Butte. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass, crappie.

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Chalkrock Lake WMA (Cedar Co.) - 44 acres,5N, 1½E of Hwy 81 and 12 Jct. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. No livebaitfish can be used or possessed. Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Cottonwood Lake (Lake Yankton) (Cedar Co.)- 250 acres, Below Gavins Point Dam, northside of river. Camping. Bluegill, channelcatfish, crappie, largemouth bass, northernpike, walleye. Largemouth bass - 15-inchminimum length. Border water area with SouthDakota, open to Nebraska permit holders.Electric motor and nonpowered boats allowed.Fish-cleaning station SW corner of lake.

Crystal Cove Lake (Dakota Co.) - 30 acres,NE of Hwy 20 and 77 intersection in SouthSioux City, entrance on W. 39th St.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish,northern pike, rainbow trout seasonally.Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3. Electric motorand nonpowered boats allowed, wheelchair-accessible pier.

Dead Timber SRA (Dodge Co.) - 20 acres,5NW of Scribner, 1½E. Bullhead, carp,channel and flathead catfish, largemouthbass, bluegill, crappie. Electric motor andnonpowered boats allowed. Modern andprimitive camping.

Decatur Boat Ramp (Missouri River) (BurtCo.) - South of Hwy 51 bridge. Carp, channeland flathead catfish, freshwater drum.

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (WashingtonCo.) - 760 acres, 6E of Blair on Hwy 30.Refuge entrance fee permit required. Bluegill,buffalo, carp, channel catfish, crappie,largemouth bass, walleye. Walleye – 15-inchminimum length; Largemouth bass – 15-inchminimum length. All anglers shall abide bythe regulations of the state in which they arelicensed, either Nebraska or Iowa, andfederal refuge regulations as posted. Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Open earlyJanuary through late February for ice-fishing; no more than two lines with twohooks per line can be used for ice fishing inDeSoto NWR Lake. Open April 15 - Oct. 14for open-water fishing. Open a half-hourbefore sunrise to a half-hour after sunset.

Dry Creek WMA (Elkhorn River) (Holt Co.) -1½ SE of O’Neill. Carp, channel andflathead catfish.

East Branch Verdigre Creek (Grove LakeWMA) (Antelope Co.) - NE of Royal aboveGrove Lake. Brown and rainbow trout. Publicaccess available as posted; rainbow troutstocked on a weekly basis.

Ferry Landing (Missouri River) (Knox Co.) -2½E, 1½N of Niobrara, river mile 841. Carp,channel and flathead catfish, northern pike,sauger, walleye. Walleye and sauger - 15-inch minimum length. Boat ramp.

Fremont Lakes SRA (Dodge Co.) - 280 acresin 19 lakes, 3W of Fremont. Bluegill, bullhead,carp, channel catfish, crappie, largemouthbass, muskellunge (Nos. 7 and 8), wipers (No.15). Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3; Muskellunge - 40-inch minimum length; Wipers - 18-inchminimum length, daily bag limit of 1; bullheads– daily bag limit of 5. Catchable bullheadsstocked into No. 3 and trout seasonallystocked in No. 5. Gas-powered boating onVictory Lake and Lake No. 20 only, all otherlakes electric motor and nonpowered boatsallowed. Nos. 3 and 20 renovated andrestocked in 2007. Modern and primitivecamping.

Gavins Point Dam Tailwaters (Missouri River)(Cedar Co.) - 1S, 4W of Yankton, S.D.Camping. Buffalo, carp, channel and flatheadcatfish, white bass, crappie, freshwater drum,paddlefish, smallmouth bass, sauger,walleye, goldeye. Paddlefish – see paddlefishsection of guide for regulations. All boatsallowed; wheelchair-accessible deck. Fish-cleaning stations available (north and southsides). From Gavins Point Dam to 0.6 milesdownstream, a nonresident Nebraska fishinglicense is required of anglers who are notresidents of Nebraska or South Dakota whenfishing from a boat or either bank.

George Syas WMA (Loup River) (Platte Co.)- 2S, 1½E of Genoa. Carp, channel catfish.

Goose Lake (Holt Co.) - 237 acres, 18N, 5Eof Bartlett. Largemouth bass, bluegill,northern pike, yellow perch. Northern pike -28- to 34-inch protected slot limit. Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Grove Lake (Antelope Co.) - 50 acres, 2N ofRoyal. Bluegill, bullhead, channel catfish,crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike,rainbow trout seasonally. Northern pike - 30-inch minimum length. Primitive campingallowed. Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Swan Lake (Holt Co.) - 235 acres, 26S, ½Wof Atkinson. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass, yellow perch. Primitiveboat ramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake). Private lake leased for fishing only.Renovated in 2006 and restocked. Goodopportunity starting in 2008.

Tower Lake (Yellowthroat WMA) (Brown Co.)- 75 acres, 12.5S, 1.5E of Ainsworth.Bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch,black crappie.

Twin Lakes WMA (Rock Co.) - 160 acres,16S, 2½E, 2S of Bassett. Black crappie,largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill,yellow perch. Boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake), primitive boat ramp. Fish renovationcompleted in 2007 and restocked.

Valentine Mill Pond (Cherry Co.) - 20 acres,north edge of Valentine. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish.

Victoria Springs Lake SRA (Custer Co.) - 6acres, 6E of Anselmo off Rt. S21A. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass; rainbowtrout stocked in October. Shallow, withextensive vegetation, nonpowered boatsonly. Cabins and camping.

Watts Lake (Cherry Co.) - 230 acres, 16S,6W, 8S of Valentine to Refuge H.Q. Bluegill,largemouth bass, muskellunge, yellowperch. Possession of baitfish prohibited,dead smelt allowed. Possession of fish nottaken from refuge waters unlawful. Nocamping allowed. Electric motor and non-powered boats allowed. Refuge opensunrise to sunset. Aquatic vegetationhampers summer fishing.

West Long Lake (Cherry Co.) - 62 acres,16S, 6W, 8S of Valentine to H.Q. Bluegill,largemouth bass, yellow perch, pike.Northern pike - 28-inch maximum length.Possession of baitfish is prohibited, deadsmelt allowed. Possession of fish not takenfrom refuge waters unlawful. No campingallowed. Electric motor and nonpoweredboats allowed. Refuge open sunrise tosunset. Aquatic vegetation hampers summerfishing.

Willow Lake WMA (Brown Co.) - 313 acres,18½S 12½W, 1N of Ainsworth. Bluegill,bullhead, carp, black crappie, largemouthbass, yellow perch. Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum length. Primitive camping;boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake);snowmobiles and ATVs allowed on ice.

Bazile Creek WMA (Missouri River) (Knox Co.)- 4E, 1½N of Niobrara, river mile 838.8. Carp,channel and flathead catfish, smallmouthbass, northern pike, sauger, walleye. Walleyeand sauger - 15-inch minimum length. Gravelroad to ramp gets muddy with heavy rains,ramp subject to flooding.

Black Island WMA (Elkhorn River) (CumingCo.) - 2½E of Pilger on county road. Carp,channel and flathead catfish.

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge(Washington Co.) - 3½ E of Fort Calhoun.Restored channel off the Missouri River.Channel catfish, flathead catfish, commoncarp and other riverine species. Open ahalf-hour before sunrise to a half-hour aftersunset. No archery fishing. Check withrefuge for additional regulations.

Brooky Bottom Park (Missouri River)(Cedar Co.) - 4NE of Wynot, river mile784.9. Carp, channel and flathead catfish,freshwater drum, paddlefish, sauger,walleye. Concrete boat ramp.

Buckskin Hills Lake WMA (Dixon Co.) - 75acres, 2W, 3S, ½W of Newcastle. Bluegill,crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass,walleye. Largemouth bass - 21-inchminimum length. Primitive camping; boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Owned byLewis and Clark NRD.

NORTHEASTAnglers in the northeast find excitingfishing action at popular Lewis andClark Lake, as well as many small farmponds, catfish and trout streams and themighty Missouri River.

DISTRICT III - NORTHEASTNorfolk OfficeJeff Schuckman,Fisheries Supervisor(402) 370-3374; Fax (402) 370-3256

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Pawnee Park East (Platte Co.) - 2 acres,Columbus - south edge, use west parkentrance then cross under Hwy 81 on parkroad. Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouthbass, rainbow trout seasonally. Largemouthbass - catch and release; Panfish - daily baglimit of 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limitof 3.

Pawnee Park West (Platte Co.) - 2 acres,Columbus - south edge, west side of Hwy81, south off 8th St. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Panfish - daily bag limitof 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Penn Park Lake (Antelope Co.) - 8 acres,Neligh city lake, southeast of the Hwy 14and Hwy 275 interchange. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass, carp. Cityregulations in place. Largemouth bass –catch and release.

Pibel Lake SRA (Wheeler Co.) - 20acres, 9S, 1E of Bartlett. Bluegill, bullhead,channel catfish, largemouth bass. Panfish -daily bag limit of 10; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3. No live baitfish can be used orpossessed. Primitive camping; Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Fish kill inspring of 2007 will limit opportunity in 2008.

Ponca State Park (Missouri River) (Dixon Co.)- 2½N of Ponca, river mile 753.5. Carp,channel and flathead catfish, freshwater drum,paddlefish, sauger, walleye. Concrete ramp.Cabins and camping.

Powder Creek Reservoir (Dixon Co.) - 107acres, 2E, 4S of Newcastle. Largemouthbass, bluegill, bullhead, northern pike,walleye, channel catfish. Largemouth bass -21-inch minimum length; boats restricted to5 mph (no wake).

Powder Horn WMA (Elkhorn River) (DodgeCo.) - 4NW of Scribner on Hwy 275. Carp,channel and flathead catfish.

Prairie Wolf WMA (Loup River) (Nance Co.) -1S of Genoa. Carp, channel catfish.

Red Fox WMA (Stanton Co.) - 25 acres(sandpit), 1½S of Pilger on Hwy 15. Bluegill,carp, channel catfish, crappie, largemouthbass. Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake),primitive boat ramp.

Red Fox WMA (Elkhorn River) (Stanton Co.)- 1S of Pilger on Hwy 15. Carp, channel andflathead catfish.

Red Wing WMA (Elkhorn River) (Antelope Co.)- 5 SW of Neligh. Carp, channel andflathead catfish.

St. Helena Access (Missouri River) (CedarCo.) - 6½E, 1N of Hwy 81 and 121 Jct.Channel and flathead catfish, paddlefish,freshwater drum, sauger, walleye. Concreteboat ramp.

Scenic Park Access (Missouri River)(Dakota Co.) - ½E of Hwy 77 bridge near S.Sioux City, river mile 732.0. Carp, channeland flathead catfish, freshwater drum.Concrete boat ramp.

Schuyler City Lake (Colfax Co.) - 18 acres,Schuyler - south edge off Hwy 15 onHiggins Drive. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Seepage problem. Potentialfuture rehabilitation project, limited opportunity.

Skyview Lake (Madison Co.) - 50 acres,Norfolk - north of Business Hwy 275, W ofHwy 81 on Maple Avenue. Largemouthbass, bluegill, walleye, channel catfish.Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum length;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10 incombination; Channel catfish - daily baglimit of 3. No live baitfish can be used orpossessed. Wheelchair-accessible deck;electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Spalding Lake (Greeley Co.) - 24 acres,south edge of Spalding. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike, carp.Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake), lakedewatered periodically to flush sediment.Also Cedar River access.

Steel Creek (Holt Co.) - Brown and rainbowtrout; Private access, permission required.

Summit Lake SRA (Burt Co.) - 190 acres,4½W, ½S of Tekamah. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish, walleye. Panfish -daily bag limit of 10; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3; Boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake), fish-cleaning station. Camping.

Sunshine Bottoms (Missouri River) (BoydCo.) - 3E, 4N of Lynch. Carp, channelcatfish, freshwater drum, goldeye, sauger,smallmouth bass, walleye. Boat ramp.

Hackberry Creek WMA (Elkhorn River)(Antelope Co.) - 1½E, ½N of Clearwater.Carp, channel and flathead catfish.

Johnson Park Lake (Dodge Co.) - 10 acres,1E of Fremont. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Largemouth bass - catchand release; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. Pavedboat ramp, electric motor and nonpoweredboats allowed.

Lake Babcock (Platte Co.) - 600 acres, 1W,3N of Columbus. Bullhead, carp, channeland flathead catfish. Boats restricted to 5mph (no wake). May be closed to boatingduring waterfowl season. Shallow lake,owned by Loup Public Power.

Lake Ericson (Wheeler Co.) - 70 acres, 1/2Sof Ericson. Largemouth bass, bluegill, carp,channel catfish, crappie, northern pike.Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake), boatramp in NW corner. Lake and dam managedby Lake Ericson Corporation.

Lake North (Platte Co.) - 200 acres, 3N ofColumbus. Carp, channel catfish, crappie,freshwater drum, walleye. Camping; shallowlake. Owned by Loup Public Power, all boatsallowed.

Lewis and Clark Lake SRA ( Knox Co.)-30,000 acres, 7N, 4W of Crofton. Carp,channel catfish, crappie, freshwater drum,sauger, walleye, white bass, smallmouthbass. Walleye and sauger - 15-inchminimum length. No more than two lineswith two hooks on each are allowed fromGavins Point Dam upstream to the Santeeboat ramp in Knox County. All boats allowed.Boat ramps available at Bloomfield Area,Hideaway Acres Marina, Weigand andBurbach Park, and Miller Creek Area.Cabins and camping.

Looking Glass WMA (Platte Co.) - 7 acres in2 lakes, 1S of Monroe. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass.

Loup River Diversion Canal, Loup River(Nance Co. and Platte Co.) - Genoa toColumbus. Carp, channel and flatheadcatfish, freshwater drum. Tailrace atColumbus, stilling basin W of Genoa, andtailwaters below Monroe and Columbuspowerhouses most productive.

Maskenthine Reservoir (Stanton Co.) - 98acres, 2NW of Stanton. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, northernpike, walleye. Northern pike - 30-inchminimum length. Camping. Boats restrictedto 5 mph (no wake); wheelchair-accessiblepier. Owned by Lower Elkhorn NRD.

Missouri River (Federal access areas) -Nebraska shoreline of river. Buffalo, carp,channel and flathead catfish, freshwaterdrum, paddlefish, sauger, walleye. Walleyeand sauger - 15-inch minimum length fromGavins Point Dam upstream to SouthDakota border. Camping available. Areaboundaries posted, river miles 691.3-691.9,693.0-693.4, 694.5-695.3, 695.2-697.4,697.7-699.6, 701.1-701.5.

Mulberry Bend WMA (Missouri River)(Dixon Co.) - 1E of Maskell on Hwy 12 and2 1/2N. Carp, channel catfish, largemouthand smallmouth bass, paddlefish, northernpike, sauger, walleye. Concrete ramp.

Neligh Park (West Point Park Pond) (CumingCo.) - Adjacent to Cuming Co. fairgrounds.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum lengthPanfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Niobrara SP (Knox Co.) - 7 acres in 2 ponds,1W of Niobrara. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Largemouth bass - catchand release; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. Noboats. Niobrara River access. Cabins andcamping.

Niobrara Townsite Boat Ramp (MissouriRiver) (Knox Co.) - N of old Niobraratownsite on county road, river mile 844.0.Buffalo, carp, crappie, northern pike, sauger,smallmouth bass, walleye. Walleye andsauger - 15-inch minimum length. Double-wide concrete ramps - not usable duringperiods of low water levels; ample parking.

Pelican Point SRA (Missouri River) (BurtCo.) - 5E, 4N of Tekamah, river mile 672.8.Buffalo, carp, channel and flathead catfish,freshwater drum, sauger, walleye. Publicboat ramp, primitive camping.

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Diamond Bar (McPherson Co.) - 120 acres,18W, 3S Tryon. Largemouth bass, northernpike, bullhead, yellow perch, bluegill, blackcrappie. Shallow Sandhills lake, privatelyowned, but managed by the Commissionand open to the public for fishing. Electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed. Lowwater levels in 2006, restocked in 2007.

East Hershey WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 20 acres,North Platte interchange, ½S, 7¾W, 1½N,NE across overpass. Channel catfish,largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, rockbass. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed.

East Sutherland WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 27acres, Hershey interchange, ¼S, 3W, ½N,NE across overpass. Northern pike, channelcatfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth and rockbass, yellow perch, bluegill. Electric motor ornon-powered boats allowed.

Enders Reservoir SRA (Chase Co.) - 1,200acres, 5E, 4½S of Imperial. Channel andflathead catfish, largemouth and smallmouthbass, crappie, walleye, white bass, wiper,northern pike, carp. Northern pike - 30-inchminimum length. Primitive camping; all boatsallowed, severe summer drawdown. It isunlawful to fish or boat inside the gamerefuge during the waterfowl hunting season.

Fort McPherson DOR (Lincoln Co.) - 30acres, Maxwell interchange, SE quadrant.Rock bass, bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass, smallmouth bass. Electricmotor and nonpowered boats allowed.

Fremont Slough WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 30acres, North Platte interchange, 1½S, 4¾E,¼N, right turn across canal, ¼N underoverpass. Bluegill, channel catfish, carp,largemouth bass. Electric motor or non-powered boats allowed.

Frenchman WMA (Hayes Co.) - 20 acres in 3pits, ½N of Palisade. Crappie, bluegill,channel catfish, northern pike, largemouthbass. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed.

Hayes Center Lake WMA (Hayes Co.) - 50acres, 12NE of Hayes Center. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. Electric motoror nonpowered boats allowed. Renovated in2006, due to water restrictions not allowedto refill, limited opportunity.

Hershey WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 53 acres,Hershey interchange, SE quadrant. Channeland flathead catfish, largemouth and rockbass, yellow perch, northern pike, walleye,bluegill. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed.

Humphrey Pond (Keith Co.) - 3 acres, eastedge of Ogallala on Hwy 30. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. Closed toboats. Scheduled for rehabilitation project in2008.

Jack Harkreader Pond (Lincoln Co.) - 8acres, south of Lake Maloney inlet.Smallmouth bass, channel catfish, rockbass, bluegill. Closed to all boats.Wheelchair-accessible pier; low water leveldue to seepage.

Jeffrey Reservoir (Lincoln Co.) - 900 acres,5S, 3W of Brady. Channel and flatheadcatfish, carp, crappie, bluegill, freshwaterdrum, walleye, white bass, wiper. All boatsallowed.

Lake Maloney SRA (Lincoln Co.) - 1,600acres, 6S of North Platte. Channel andflathead catfish, carp, crappie, bluegill,freshwater drum, walleye, white bass,smallmouth bass, wiper. Camping; all boatsallowed; wheelchair-accessible deck at inlet.

Lake McConaughy SRA (Keith Co.) - 30,000acres, 10N of Ogallala. Channel catfish,bullhead, pike, yellow perch, smallmouthbass, striped bass, white bass, walleye,wiper. It is unlawful to possess a walleye onthat portion of Otter Creek from the junctionat the shore of the lake upstream to, andincluding, the culvert under Hwy 92. Modernand primitive camping; all boats allowed.Subject to severe summer drawdowns. Fishcleaning station in Martin Bay.

Lake Ogallala SRA (Keith Co.) - 650 acres,10N of Ogallala. Channel catfish, rainbowtrout, brown trout, walleye, white bass,wiper, yellow perch, carp. Combination baglimit on all trout is 4, with a possession limitof 8. Modern/primitive camping; boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake), wheelchair-accessible deck. Fish cleaning station in theNW corner.

Maxwell Rest Stop DOR (Lincoln Co.) - 5acres, 3E Maxwell interchange. Bluegill,crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass.No boats.

Ta Ha Zouka Park Lake (Madison Co.) - 5acres, Norfolk - south edge of Norfolk just eastof Hwy 81 and just north of the Elkhorn River.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish,rainbow trout seasonally. Largemouth bass -21-inch minimum length; Panfish - daily baglimit of 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of3. No live baitfish can be used or possessed.

Tilden City Pond (Antelope Co.) - 1 acre,Tilden - Horseshoe Bend Memorial Park -SW corner of town on 5th St. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouthbass - 21-inch minimum length; Panfish -daily bag limit of 10; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3. Additional city regulations.

Verdel Landing WMA (Missouri River) (KnoxCo.) - 2E, 2N of Verdel. Carp, channelcatfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouthbass, northern pike. Walleye and sauger -15- inch minimum length limit. Double-wideboat ramp, ample parking.

Whitetail WMA (Platte River) (Colfax Co.) -½W of Schuyler on Hwy. 30, 3S on countyroad. Carp, channel and flathead catfish,sauger.

Wilkinson WMA (Platte Co.) - 1 acre in 2ponds, 1½ S of Platte Center. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish.

Willow Creek SRA (Pierce Co.) - 700 acres,2SW of Pierce. Bluegill, bullhead, channelcatfish, crappie, carp, largemouth bass,walleye, sauger, wiper. Wiper - daily baglimit of 3, with no more than 1 fish morethan 18 inches. Wheelchair-accessible deck.Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake) on westhalf of lake. Modern and primitive camping.

Wolbach City Pond (Greeley Co.) - 3 acres,Wolbach - north edge of town off Hwy 22 onBluff St. Largemouth bass, bluegill, channelcatfish. Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimumlength; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Wood Duck WMA (Stanton Co.) - 50 acres,3SW of Stanton. Carp, channel and flatheadcatfish, largemouth bass, crappie. ElkhornRiver access. Access road to river closedduring hunting season, shallow lakes andoxbow marshes open to fishing in newaddition.

Yellowbanks WMA (Elkhorn River) (MadisonCo.) - 3N, 2½W of Battle Creek. Carp,channel and flathead catfish.

Barnett Park Pond (Red Willow Co.) - 5acres, S edge McCook off Hwy 83. Bluegill,largemouth bass, channel catfish, rainbowtrout stocked seasonally. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Panfish - daily bag limitof 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.Area flooded in spring of 2007.

Birdwood WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 20 acres,North Platte interchange, ½S, 3½W, 1N,NW across overpass. Channel catfish,largemouth and rock bass, bluegill, yellowperch; rainbow trout seasonally. Electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Brady Interchange WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 25acres, Brady interchange, SE quadrant.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.Renovated and restocked in 2006.

Chester Island WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 4 acresin 4 pits, 2S, ½W of Brady. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. No boats.

CNPPID Canal (Tri County) (Lincoln Co.) -North Platte to Lexington. Channel andflathead catfish, walleye, white bass, wiper,smallmouth bass. Boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake).

Crystal Lake (Lincoln Co.) - 7 acres, Maxwellinterchange, ¾N, 2W, ½N, 3½W, ½S acrossoverpass. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Electric motor or non-powered boats allowed.

SOUTHWESTSouthwest Nebraska offers large reservoirs, rivers, canals and smallerlakes for the enjoyment of anglers andcampers. Anglers can try for manyspecies, including channel catfish,bluegill, walleye, crappie, yellow perchand bass. Most areas have both modernand primitive camping facilities.DISTRICT IV - SOUTHWESTNorth Platte OfficeDarrol Eichner, Fisheries SupervisorNorth Platte

(308) 535-8025; Lake McConaughy

(308) 284-8803;Fax (308) 535-8028

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32-Mile H, Prairie Lake (Adams Co.) - 65acres, 1½E, 4½S of Juniata. Channelcatfish, carp, bullhead. Owned by the LittleBlue NRD; walk-in access only; turbid.

Alda DOR (Hall Co.) - 12 acres, Aldainterchange, NE quadrant. Bluegill, northernpike, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Channel catfish – daily bag of 3; Northernpike - 30-inch minimum length. No boatsallowed.

Ansley Lake (Custer Co.) - 4 acres, Ansley -west edge of town off Hwy 2. Bluegill,crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - catch and release; Panfish- daily bag limit of 10; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3. No live baitfish can be used orpossessed. Improved boat ramp, electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Bader Memorial County Park (Merrick Co.) -12 acres in 7 lakes, 1½S of Chapman.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - catch and release; Panfish- daily bag limit of 10; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3. Modern and primitive camping;no boats. Entrance fee required by county.

Bassway Strip WMA (Buffalo Co.) - 39 acresin 2 lakes, Minden interchange, ¼S on Hwy10, east on county road back toward I-80.Bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish,crappie, largemouth bass. Channel catfish –daily bag limit of 3. Improved boat ramp onWest Lake, boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake). East lake walk-in only. Platte Riveraccess.

Beaver Creek Pond (Sherman Co.) - 6 acres,1NW Hazard. Carp, bullhead. Oxbow lake ofMud Creek. Subject to low water levels.

Bethphage Pond (Kearney Co.) - 3 acres,¼N Axtell. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Largemouth bass - catchand release; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. No livebaitfish can be used or possessed.Wheelchair-accessible fishing deck.

Blue Hole WMA (West Lake) (Buffalo Co.) -37 acres, Elm Creek interchange, SWquadrant. Bluegill, carp, sauger, channelcatfish, crappie, largemouth bass. Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Improved boatramp, Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).North channel of Platte River connects tolake. Platte River access.

Bowman Lake SRA (Sherman Co.) - 2 acres,½W of Loup City on Hwy 92. Bluegill,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.Middle Loup River access. Primitivecamping

Bufflehead WMA (Buffalo Co.) - 15 acres,Kearney interchange, 1N to 11th St., 3E, 1S,½E. Bluegill, yellow perch, rock bass,channel catfish, largemouth bass. Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Improved boatramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Cheyenne SRA (Hall Co.) - 7 acres, WoodRiver interchange, NW quadrant.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish,carp. Largemouth bass - catch and release;Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3.Primitive camping. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed.

Coot Shallows WMA (Buffalo Co.) - 12acres, Odessa interchange, ¾N, 1¾W.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass,crappie. Channel catfish – daily bag limit of3. Improved boat ramp, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake).

Cornhusker WMA (Hall Co.) - 1 acre, 4W ofGrand Island. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Largemouth bass - catchand release; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. Subjectto water level fluctuations.

Cottonmill Lake (Buffalo Co.) - 43 acres, 1W,½N of Kearney on Hwy 30, N of Hwy 30 offCottonmill Avenue. Largemouth bass,bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, northernpike. Largemouth bass - catch and release;Crappie - 10-inch minimum length; Northernpike - 30-inch minimum length and daily baglimit of 1; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3; No livebaitfish allowed. Improved boat ramp, boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Cozad WMA (Dawson Co.) - 18 acres, Cozadinterchange, SE quadrant. Bluegill, carp,yellow perch, channel catfish, largemouthand rock bass. Channel catfish – daily baglimit of 3. Improved boat ramp, boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake), wheelchair-accessible ramp. Platte River access.

Medicine Creek SRA (Harry Strunk Lake)(Frontier Co.) - 1,850 acres, 2W, 7N ofCambridge. Channel and flathead catfish,crappie, walleye, largemouth bass, whitebass, wiper, carp. Primitive and moderncamping; all boats allowed. Subject tosevere summer drawdowns.

North Platte I-80 City Lake (Lincoln Co.) - 26acres, North Platte I-80 interchange, exit177, south on Hwy 83, first left turn.Channel catfish, largemouth and rock bass,bluegill, wiper, walleye, northern pike.Primitive boat ramp, electric motor or non-powered boats allowed, fishing deck.

North Platte River (Keith Co.) - Keystone toPaxton. Rainbow and brown trout. Privateaccess, permission required.

North River WMA (Platte River) (LincolnCo.) - 2½N of Hershey. Carp, channel andflathead catfish. Encompasses 2 miles ofNorth Platte River.

Otter Creek (Keith Co.) - 12E of Lewellen.Brown and rainbow trout. Private property,permission required.

Pawnee Slough WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 30acres, 2W of Maxwell on Hwy 30. Bluegill,crappie, channel catfish, largemouth androck bass. Electric motor or nonpoweredboats allowed.

Red Willow SRA (Hugh Butler Lake) (FrontierCo.) - 1,630 acres, 11N of McCook. Channeland flathead catfish, crappie, largemouthand smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass,wiper, northern pike, carp. Northern pike -30-inch minimum length. Modern camping;all boats allowed. Subject to severe summerdrawdowns.

Rock Creek Lake SRA (Dundy Co.) - 50acres, 4N, 1W of Parks. Channel catfish,largemouth bass, yellow perch, rainbowtrout seasonally, redear sunfish. Primitivecamping; electric motor or nonpoweredboats allowed.

Sutherland Reservoir SRA (Lincoln Co.) -3,000 acres, 2S of Sutherland. Channelcatfish, walleye, white bass, wiper, yellowperch, freshwater drum. Ice fishermen usecaution due to heated discharge from powerplant. Primitive camping; all boats allowed;wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.

Sutherland Supply Canal (Keith Co. andLincoln Co.) - Brown and rainbow trout.Access via CNPPD road.

Swanson Reservoir SRA (Hitchcock Co.) -5,000 acres, 2W of Trenton. Channel andflathead catfish, carp, crappie, freshwaterdrum, walleye, wiper, white bass. All boatsallowed. Subject to severe summerdrawdowns. Modern and primitive camping.

Wellfleet Lake (Lincoln Co.) - 50 acres, ½SWof Wellfleet. Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie,largemouth bass. Primitive camping; electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed.

West Brady WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 6 acres,Brady interchange, ¾N, 3W across overpass.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.

West Gothenburg WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 15acres, Brady interchange, 3½E on Hwy 30,¼S across tracks. Channel catfish, largemouthand rock bass, bluegill, redear sunfish.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.

West Hershey WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 6 acres,½W Hershey interchange. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed. Access acrossprivate land.

West Maxwell WMA (Lincoln Co.) - 7 acres,Maxwell Interchange, ¾N, ¾W, ¼S. Channelcatfish, rock and largemouth bass, bluegill,crappie, grass carp. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed.

SOUTH-CENTRALA variety of opportunities awaits anglers insouth-central Nebraska. Large reservoirs,like Harlan and Sherman, offer fishing forwalleye, white bass and channel catfish.Most reservoirs have modern and primitivecamping facilities and allow all boating.Smaller lakes provide angling opportunityfor largemouth bass, bluegill and channelcatfish. River fishing is available at publicareas on the Loup, Platte and Republicanrivers. Stream trout fishing is offered atElm Creek near Red Cloud.

DISTRICT VI - SOUTH-CENTRALKearney OfficeBrad Newcomb,Fisheries Supervisor(308) 865-5310 Fax (308) 865-5309

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Grand Island Pier Lake (Hall Co.) - 9 acres,Grand Island - Ashton Ave. and BismarckRd. Bluegill, bullhead, crappie, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Panfish - daily bag limitof 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.Improved boat ramp.

Grand Island Such’s Lake (Hall Co.) - 4acres, Grand Island - Harrison St. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass; rainbowtrout seasonally. Largemouth bass - catchand release; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. No livebaitfish can be used or possessed.Wheelchair-accessible fishing deck.

Grand Island Wastewater Pond (Hall Co.) - 8acres, Grand Island - Swift Rd., E of StuhrRd. Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouthbass, tiger muskellunge. Limited walk-inaccess from west side.

Harlan Co. Reservoir (Harlan Co.) - 13,500acres, S of Alma and Republican City.Channel and flathead catfish, crappie,northern pike, walleye, white bass, wiper.Walleye - 18-inch minimum length, with only1 more than 22 inches allowed in the dailybag. Modern and primitive camping; allboats allowed. Subject to summerdrawdown. Fish-cleaning stations at GremlinCove and Methodist Cove.

Harold W. Anderson WMA (Middle LoupRiver) (Howard Co.) - 2N, 3E ofDannebrog. Carp, channel catfish.

Heartland Shooting Center Pond (Hall Co.) -7 acres, 2W of Grand Island on HuskerHighway. Largemouth bass, bluegill, channelcatfish. Largemouth bass - catch andrelease; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. Opento fishing during public shooting hours. Lowwater possible due to seepage problems.

Heartwell Park Lake (Adams Co.) - 3 acres,Hastings - E Forest Blvd. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish; rainbow troutseasonally. Largemouth bass - catch andrelease; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. No livebaitfish can be used or possessed.Rehabilitation project in 2007.

Holdrege City Lake (North Park) (PhelpsCo.) - 10 acres, Holdrege - east of Hwy 183on 18th Avenue. Bluegill, channel catfish,crappie, largemouth bass; rainbow troutseasonally. Largemouth bass - catch andrelease; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. No livebaitfish can be used or possessed.Improved boat ramp, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake); wheelchair-accessible pier.

Indian Creek WMA (Republican River)(Webster Co.) - 1S of Red Cloud. Carp,channel catfish, white bass.

Indian Creek WMA Pond (Webster Co.) - 2acres, 1S of Red Cloud. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Panfish - daily bag limitof 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Johnson Lake SRA (Gosper Co.) - 2,189acres, 7S of Lexington. Channel andflathead catfish, crappie, drum, carp,walleye, sauger, white bass, wiper, bluegill,smallmouth bass. Primitive and moderncamping; all boats allowed; 2 wheelchair-accessible fishing decks at inlet. Fish-cleaning stations at inlet and near East SRAcampground.

Kea Lake WMA (Buffalo Co.) - 20 acres,Kearney interchange, SW quadrant. Bluegill,crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3.Improved boat ramp, wheelchair-accessibleramp access, boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake).

Kea West WMA (Buffalo Co.) - 8 acres,Kearney interchange, 1N to 11th St., 1¼W,1S to overpass approach, turn east. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie,rock bass, yellow perch. Channel catfish –daily bag limit of 3. Primitive boat ramp,electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Lake Hastings (Adams Co.) - 63 acres, Nedge Hastings, west of Hwy 281. Bullhead,carp, channel catfish, crappie. Special cityboating regulations.

Lake Helen (Dawson Co.) - 20 acres, N edgeGothenburg, west of Rt. 47 at 25th St. Carp,wiper, channel catfish.

Len Koziol WMA (Loup River) (Howard Co.)- 2½N, 2E, ½N of St. Paul. Carp, channelcatfish.

Crystal Lake SRA (Adams Co.) - 10 acres,2N, 1W of Ayr. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Electric trolling motorsonly. Subject to summer drawdowns. Limitedfishing opportunity. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed. Modern andprimitive camping

Darr WMA (Dawson Co.) - 13 acres, Darrinterchange, NW quadrant. Channel catfish,bluegill, largemouth and rock bass. Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Electric motoror nonpowered boats allowed.

Dawson County Museum Pond (DawsonCo.) - 3 acres, Lexington - 805 N Taft St.Bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish.

Dogwood WMA (Dawson Co.) - 12 acres in 2lakes, Lexington interchange, 5½E, 2½Sacross overpass, ¼E. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth and rock bass. Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Improved boatramp on East Lake, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake). Platte River access.

Eagle Scout Lake (Hall Co.) - 55 acres, 1N ofGrand Island, Hwy 281 and N. BroadwellAve. Bluegill, bullhead, channel catfish,largemouth bass, carp, crappie. Panfish -daily bag limit of 10. Concrete boat ramp,Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake);wheelchair-accessible fishing deck; hike-biketrail around lake.

East Gothenburg WMA (Dawson Co.) - 15acres, Gothenburg interchange, ½S, ½E,3½SE and E. Crappie, redear sunfish,channel catfish, largemouth bass. Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Improved boatramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).Renovated in 2006.

East Odessa WMA (Buffalo Co.) - 7 acres,Odessa interchange, 4E on S side of I-80.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.Platte River access.

Elm Creek WMA (Webster Co.) - 4E, 2N ofRed Cloud. Rainbow trout. One-half mile ofElm Creek is on public land, the rest onprivate land, permission required. Troutstocked in March and September.

Elwood Reservoir WMA (Gosper Co.) - 1,200acres, 3N of Elwood. Bluegill, wiper, channelcatfish, crappie, flathead catfish, white bass,largemouth and spotted bass, muskellunge,walleye. Wiper/white bass - daily bag limit of3 with no more than 1 fish more than 18inches; Walleye - 15-inch minimum lengthwith a 18- to 24-inch protected slot, withonly 1 more than 24 inches allowed in thedaily bag limit; Muskellunge - 40-inchminimum length. Bank access at entrance;boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Subjectto summer drawdown.

Farwell South Reservoir (Howard Co.) - 40acres, 4W, 3S of Farwell. Carp, channel andflathead catfish, crappie, walleye. Electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Fort Kearny SRA (Kearney Co.) - 21 acres in7 pits, ¾E, 1N of Ft. Kearny SHP. Bluegill,channel catfish, carp, crappie, largemouthbass, wipers (Lake No. 4). Panfish - dailybag limit of 10; Channel catfish - daily baglimit of 3, except Lake No. 2 which is catchand release; Wipers - 18-inch minimumlength, daily bag limit of 1; no archery fishingallowed. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed; wheelchair-accessible deck onLake No. 7. Fish feeders on Lake Nos. 4 and6. Modern and primitive camping.

Gallagher Canyon Reservoir SRA (DawsonCo.) - 182 acres, 8S of Cozad. Channel andflathead catfish, wiper, crappie, freshwaterdrum, walleye, sauger, white bass. Primitivecamping; boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake).

Grand Island East-bound Rest Area (Hall Co.)- 6 acres, 3E of Grand Island Interchange.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3. Noboats allowed. low levels possible.

Grand Island L.E. Ray Lake (Hall Co.) - 30acres, Grand Island - N of Husker Hwy andEast Blaine. Bluegill, yellow perch, channelcatfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge.Largemouth bass – catch and release;Panfish – daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. No live baitfishcan be used or possessed. Concrete boatramp. Electric motors or nonpowered boatsallowed.

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Pressey WMA (Custer Co.) - 2 acres, 3N, 1EOconto. Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouthbass. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed.

Ravenna Lake (Buffalo Co.) - 16 acres, 1SEof Ravenna, N of Hwy 2. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Panfish - daily bag limit is10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit is 3. Nolive baitfish can be used or possessed.Primitive camping; electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed, gravel boatramp, wheelchair-accessible fishing deck.Managed by the county.

Sac Wilcox WMA (Phelps Co.) - 2 acres in 3lakes, 10E, 3S of Holdrege. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouthbass - catch and release; Panfish - daily baglimit of 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limitof 3. Seepage problem on two of the lakes.

Sandy Channel SRA (Buffalo Co.) - 52 acresin 6 lakes, 2S of Elm Creek I-80Interchange. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth and rock bass, yellow perch,carp. Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed,except on Lake No. 8 where outboardmotors are allowed, but boats are restrictedto 5 mph (no wake). Wheelchair-accessible,improved boat ramp on Lake No.8. Primitivecamping.

Sherman Reservoir SRA (Sherman Co.) -2,845 acres, 4E, 1N of Loup City. Channelcatfish, crappie, flathead catfish, northernpike, walleye, white bass. Walleye - 18-inchminimum length and only 1 more than 22inches allowed in daily bag; Crappie - 10-inch minimum length; Northern Pike - 30-inch minimum length. Primitive camping; allboats allowed. Subject to summerdrawdowns. Waters within 150 feet of thedam are closed to fishing from sunset tosunrise April 1 through April 20. Fish-cleaning stations at Trail 2 area near mainboat ramp parking lot and at Trail 1(Thunder Bay boat ramp).

Silver Creek City Pond (Merrick Co.) - 4acres, South on Hwy 39. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish.

South Kearney Rest Area (eastbound) DOR(Buffalo Co.) - 1 acre, 6E of Odessainterchange at exit 263 to rest stop. Bluegill,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass,redear sunfish. No boats allowed.

Sutton Clark Pond (Clay Co.) - 1 acre, Sutton- Glen Avenue and West Cedar Street.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3. No live baitfishcan be used or possessed.

Three R’s Pond (Harlan Co.) - 2 acres, 2S,1W of Orleans. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Largemouth bass - catchand release; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3. Walk-inaccess only.

Union Pacific SRA (Buffalo Co.) - 15 acres,Odessa interchange, NE quadrant. Channelcatfish, bluegill, rock bass, largemouth bass.Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3.Primitive camping; gravel boat ramp, electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed.

War Axe SRA (Buffalo Co.) - 14 acres,Shelton interchange, NE quadrant.Smallmouth bass, redear sunfish, channelcatfish. Black bass – catch and release;Panfish – daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Gravel boatramp, electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed. Renovated and restocked in 2007.Primitive camping.

West Cozad WMA (Dawson Co.) - 18 acres,Cozad interchange, ½N, 1/4W, 1/4N, 1W,1S. Channel catfish, redear sunfish,largemouth bass, rock bass. Channel catfish– daily bag limit of 3. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed.

West Elm Creek WMA (Buffalo Co.) - 9acres, 5W Elm Creek interchange. Greensunfish, channel catfish. Access acrossprivate property, permission required.

West Wood River WMA (Hall Co.) - 15 acres,Wood River interchange, ½S, 1W, N acrossoverpass, ¼W. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish, carp. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Channel catfish – dailybag limit of 3. Electric motor or nonpoweredboats allowed.

Lexington City Lake (Dawson Co.) - 3 acres,N edge Lexington, N. Adams St. (Rt. 21) andW. 13th St. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass, rainbow trout seasonally.Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3. No live baitfishcan be used or possessed.

Liberty Cove (Webster Co.) - 36 acres, 2S,2½W of Lawrence. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Channel catfish – dailybag limit of 3. Owned by the Little Blue NRD;deck with gravel access; Concrete boatramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).Subject to very low water levels.

Lincoln Park Pond (Nuckolls Co.) - 1 acre, Wedge of Superior, W. 4th Street off Hwy 14.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3. No live baitfishcan be used or possessed.

Loch Linda WMA (Platte River) (Hall Co.) -10S, 3W of Grand Island. Carp and channelcatfish.

Martins Reach WMA (Platte River) (Hall Co.)- 4S, 2W of Wood River. Carp and channelcatfish.

Marsh Wren WMA (Howard Co.) - 1 acre, 3N,3W of St. Paul. Largemouth bass, bluegill.Access to North Loup River.

Midway Canyon Reservoir (Dawson Co.) -609 acres, 6S, 2W of Cozad. Channel andflathead catfish, wiper, sauger, crappie,freshwater drum, walleye, white bass. Allboats allowed, public boat ramp on Road418.

Minden Biological Learning Center Pond(Kearney Co.) - 0.5 acres, West 5th StreetMinden, at Minden High School. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish.

Mormon Island DOR (East) (Hall Co.) - 22acres, Grand Island interchange, N of I-80,1½E. Bluegill, channel catfish, muskellunge,crappie, largemouth bass. Sunfish - 8-inchminimum length. Panfish - daily bag limit of10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.Access on foot from Mormon Island SRA.

Mormon Island SRA (Middle) (Hall Co.) - 19acres, Grand Island interchange, NEquadrant. Bluegill, crappie, channel catfish,largemouth bass, redear sunfish. Sunfish -8-inch minimum length; Panfish - daily baglimit of 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limitof 3; no archery fishing allowed. Electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed. Walk-inaccess from Mormon Island SRA. Modernand primitive camping.

Mormon Island SRA (West) (Hall Co.) - 42acres, Grand Island interchange, NE quadrant.Bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish,crappie, largemouth bass. Sunfish - 8-inchminimum length; Panfish - daily bag limit of10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3; noarchery fishing allowed. Modern camping;electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed;wheelchair-accessible fishing pier. Modernand primitive camping.

Mormon Trail (Merrick Co.) - 1 acre, 1.5S,2W Clarks. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Subject to low water levels.

Narrows WMA (Republican River) (WebsterCo.) - 4W of Red Cloud on Hyw. 136. Carp,channel catfish, white bass.

North Kearney Rest Area (westbound) DOR(Buffalo Co.) - 7 acres, 2W of Kearneyinterchange at exit 272 on I-80 to rest stop.Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouthbass. Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3.No boats allowed.

North Loup SRA (Howard Co.) - 7 acres, 3Nof St. Paul, just north of the North LoupRiver on Hwy 281. Bass, bluegill, channelcatfish, crappie. Electric motor ornonpowered boats.

Phillips Canyon Reservoir (Gosper Co.) - 142acres, 8S, 1E, 1N Lexington. Channel catfish,crappie, freshwater drum, sauger, walleye,wiper, white bass. Primitive boat ramp, allboats allowed; unimproved access road - dryweather only.

Pioneer Trail Lake (Hamilton Co.) - 45 acres,½E Aurora. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Seepage problems - lowwater conditions common.

Plum Creek Canyon Reservoir (DawsonCo.) - 252 acres, 8S, 3½E Cozad. Channeland flathead catfish, crappie, freshwaterdrum, walleye, sauger, wiper, white bass.Primitive boat ramp, all boats allowed.

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Bennington Lions Club Pond (Douglas Co.)- 1 acre, Bennington – South of N. 2ndStreet. Largemouth bass, bluegill, channelcatfish. All species – catch and release.

Benson Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 4 acres,Omaha - off 72nd St. at Military and AmesAve. intersection. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish, rainbow trout seasonally.Largemouth bass and bluegill - catch andrelease; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of3; Restricted to children under 16, adultswith a child that is actively fishing, andadults 65 or older.

Big Indian 11A (Gage Co.) - 76 acres, 3S,3W of Wymore. Bullhead, bluegill, crappie,largemouth bass, channel catfish, carp.Primitive camping. Boat ramp, all boatsallowed; very turbid. Owned by the LowerBig Blue NRD.

Blue Bluffs WMA (Big Blue River) (SewardCo.) - ½N, 1E, 2S of Milford. Carp, channeland flathead catfish.

Blue River SRA (Big Blue River) (SalineCo.) – 3 ½ N of Dorchester. Carp, channeland flathead catfish.

Bluestem Lake SRA (Lancaster Co.) - 326acres, 2½W of Sprague. Bluegill, crappie,flathead and channel catfish, largemouthbass, walleye, carp. Primitive camping;concrete boat ramp, all boats allowed.

Blue Valley (Big Blue River) (Seward Co.) -½S of Seward. Carp, channel and flatheadcatfish.

Bowling Lake (Lancaster Co.) - 12 acres,Lincoln - NW 48th St. and W. Cuming St.(Airpark). Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass, rainbow trout (seasonally).Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3. Concrete boatramp, electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed. Lincoln City lake, rehabilitated in2007, fishery restocked and developing.Good opportunity starting in late 2008.

Bowwood WMA (Pawnee Co.) - 6 acres, 2Sof Steinauer. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed.

Bramble WMA (Platte River) (Saunders Co.)- 5W, 2N of Cedar Bluffs. Channel catfish,carp.

Branched Oak Lake SRA (Lancaster Co.) -1,800 acres, ½W, 4N of Malcolm. Bluegill,carp, channel, blue and flathead catfish,crappie, largemouth bass, wiper, walleye,white perch. Walleye - daily bag limit of 1more than 22 inches; Crappie - 10-inchminimum length; Wiper and Flathead catfish- catch and release. Modern and primitivecamping; Boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake) 400 feet lakeward from the dam and90 feet from all other shorelines or asposted as no wake areas. Several concreteboat ramps available; wheelchair-accessiblefishing deck by marina.

Brownville SRA (Missouri River) (NemahaCo.) - 1E of Brownville. Buffalo, carp,channel and flathead catfish, shovelnosesturgeon. Boat ramp; primitive camping.

Bruning Pit (Fillmore Co.) - 258 acres, 2½E,1N of Bruning. Bullhead, carp, channelcatfish. Owned by the Little Blue NRD; veryturbid. Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Buckley 3F (Jefferson Co.) - 22 acres, 7W,4½S of Fairbury. Channel catfish. Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Owned by theLittle Blue NRD; very turbid.

Burchard Lake (Pawnee Co.) - 150 acres, 3E,½N of Burchard. Bluegill, bullhead, channelcatfish, crappie, largemouth bass, walleye,yellow perch. Largemouth bass - 21-inchminimum length. Beginning Oct. 15 until theclose of the dark goose season, fishing isrestricted to the shoreline or on the ice(Check current Nebraska Guide to Huntingand Public Lands). Boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake), concrete boat ramp; primitivecamping.

Carter Lake (Douglas Co.) - 300 acres,Omaha - Abbott Drive and Carter Blvd.Bluegill, buffalo, bullhead, carp, channel andblue catfish, crappie, freshwater drum,largemouth bass, walleye. All boats allowed,concrete boat ramp; wheelchair-accessiblefishing deck. Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Catfish Run WMA (Salt Creek) (SaundersCo.) - ¾E of Ashland. Carp, channel catfish,shovelnose sturgeon.

Clatonia 3A (Gage Co.) - 46 acres, 1N ofClatonia. Channel catfish, bullhead. Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Owned by theLower Big Blue NRD; turbid, low water levels.

Willow Island WMA (Dawson Co.) - 24 acres,5¼W of Cozad on Hwy 30, ¾S acrossoverpass. Carp, bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Lake connects to PlatteRiver. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed.

Windmill SRA (Buffalo Co.) - 23 acres in 6lakes, Gibbon interchange, NE quadrant.Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie,largemouth bass, rainbow trout seasonally(Lake No. 1), wipers (Lake No. 3). Panfish -daily bag limit of 10; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3, except Lake No. 3 that iscatch and release; Wipers - 18-inchminimum length, daily bag limit of 1;Sunfish - 8-inch minimum length on LakeNo. 4 only; area closed to archery fishing.Wheelchair-accessible fishing deck (LakeNo. 2); electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed; fish feeders - Lake Nos. 3 and 4.Modern and primitive camping.

Yanney Park Lake (Buffalo Co.) - 20 acres,Kearney - off W. 11th Street. Largemouthbass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie, channelcatfish. Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Crappie - 10-inch minimum length; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3. No live baitfish can be used orpossessed. Wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.

Adams Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 3 acres, NEOmaha - Bedford Avenue and 33rd St.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass and bluegill - catch andrelease; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.Restricted to children under 16, adults with achild that is actively fishing, and adults 65 andolder. Improvement to shoreline accessplanned by city.

Alexandria SRA (Jefferson Co.) - 43 acres in2 lakes, 2S, 3E of Alexandria. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass, redearsunfish. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed; modern and primitive camping.

Alexandria Southwest WMA (Big SandyCreek) (Jefferson Co.) - ½S, 1 E ofAlexandria. Channel catfish, carp.

Arrowhead WMA (Gage Co.) - 77 acres, 3E,½S of Diller. Bullhead, carp, channel catfish.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed,very turbid and shallow.

Aspinwall Bend WMA (Missouri and LittleNemaha rivers) (Nemaha Co.) - ¾S ofNemaha. Channel catfish, carp.

Auburn Rotary Club Lake (Nemaha Co.) - 5acres, Auburn - (7th and J St.). Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow troutseasonally. Largemouth bass - 21-inchminimum length; Panfish - daily bag limit of10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Baright Lake (Cass Co.) - 4 acres; MahoneySP. Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie,largemouth bass. Children under 16 years ofage, disabled adults, and adults assisting kidsfishing are permitted to fish the entire lake,except the immediate marina area. Daily baglimit is two fish, except all largemouth bassmust be released. No motorboats allowed.

Bear Pierce Cedar 2A (Gage Co.) - 24 acres,4N, 3½E of Hwy 77 and Hwy 136 junction.Channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill,crappie. Owned by the Lower Big Blue NRD.Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Bennington Lake (Douglas Co.) - 270 acres,180th and Bennington Road. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouthbass - catch and release; Panfish - daily baglimit of 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limitof 3. Ice-fishing not allowed. Public access isonly permitted on the jetty located ½W of168th St. at the intersection of Highway 36and Newport Landing.

SOUTHEASTFishing opportunity is increasing in theSoutheast. Aquatic Habitat Projects areimproving hundreds of acres of fishingwater in the area. Farm ponds, streamsand rivers are important fisheries. Inspite of potential for heavy fishing pressure, anglers will find plenty ofopportunities to catch catfish, largemouthbass and bluegill in most waters.

DISTRICT V - SOUTHEASTLincoln OfficeJeff Jackson,Fisheries Supervisor(402) 471-7647; Fax(402) 471-7649

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Hedgefield Lake WMA (Lancaster Co.) - 44acres, 2W, ½N of Panama. Bluegill, bullhead,channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie.Primitive boat ramp. Boats restricted to 5mph (no wake). Scheduled to be drained in2008 for dam repair.

Hwy 50 Bridge (Platte River) (Cass Co.) - 1N ofLouisville. Carp, channel and flathead catfish,shovelnose sturgeon. Concrete boat ramp.

Hitchcock Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 2acres, Omaha - 42nd and Q Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow troutseasonally; Largemouth bass and bluegill -catch and release; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3; Restricted to children under16, adults with a child that is actively fishing,and adults 65 or older.

Holmes Lake (Lancaster Co.) - 100 acres,Lincoln - 70th and Normal Blvd. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish, walleye,rainbow trout seasonally in south basin.Largemouth bass - catch and release; Panfish- daily bag limit of 10; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3; No live baitfish can be used orpossessed; Electric motor or nonpoweredboats allowed. Lincoln city lake; two concreteboats ramps, wheelchair-accessible deck.

Homestead Lake (Butler Co.) - 38 acres, 1N½W of Bruno. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish, bullheads. Boat ramp; boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Owned by theLower Platte North NRD.

Humboldt City Park Lake (Richardson Co.) -1 acre, Humboldt - S edge of town, W offHwy 105 at Railroad St. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouth bassand bluegill - catch and release; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Indian Cave SP (Missouri River)(Richardson Co.) - 4E of Barada. Buffalo,carp, channel and flathead catfish,shovelnose sturgeon. Concrete boat ramp.Modern and primitive camping.

Iron Horse Trail Lake (Pawnee Co.) - 85acres, ½N, 2W of DuBois. Bluegill, channeland flathead catfish, crappie, largemouthbass, walleye. Owned by the Nemaha NRD(NRD entry permit required); wheelchair-accessible concrete boat ramp; no personalwatercraft allowed; boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake); primitive camping.

Jack Sinn WMA (Rock Creek) (LancasterCo.) - 2S of Ceresco. Channel catfish,bullhead.

Jenny Newman Pond (Platte River SP)(Cass Co.) - 4 acres, 2S, 3W of Louisville.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass,grass carp. All species - catch and release.Possession of any fish species other thanbaitfish while fishing this lake is prohibited.Hooks must be either barbless or haveflattened barbs. Family fishing lake, open toall children less than 16 years of age andadults assisting children. No fishing fromdock. No motorboats allowed. Cabins.

Killdeer Lake WMA (Lancaster Co.) - 20acres, 2½N of Martell. Bluegill, bullhead,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Kinter’s Ford WMA (Big Nemaha River)(Richardson Co.) – 1N, 2 1/2E of Duboison Hwy. 8. Carp, channel and flathead catfish.

Kirkman’s Cove (Richardson Co.) - 160acres, 1N, 2W of Humboldt. Bluegill,crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Owned by the Nemaha NRD (NRD entrypermit required); turbid. Concrete boat ramp,35-mph maximum on lower two-thirds oflake, no personal watercraft.

Lake Halleck (Sarpy Co.) - 4 acres, Papillion– E of S. Washington St. (Hwy 85) on E.Lincoln St. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish, rainbow trout seasonally.Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Lakeview Park Lake (York Co.) - 4 acre,Henderson – SW of Birch and Main streets.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass - catch and release,Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Langdon Bend WMA (Missouri River)(Nemaha Co.) - 1 E of Nemaha. Buffalo,carp, channel and flathead catfish,shovelnose sturgeon.

Lied Platte River Hike Bike Bridge (PlatteRiver) (Cass Co.) - South of South Bend.Carp, freshwater drum, channel catfish,shovelnose sturgeon. Deck; contact PlatteRiver SP for more details.

Conestoga Lake SRA (Lancaster Co.) - 230acres, 1½N of Denton. Bluegill, carp,freshwater drum, channel catfish, flatheadcatfish, blue catfish, crappie, largemouthbass, walleye, wiper. Primitive and moderncamping; concrete boat ramp, all boatsallowed.

Cottontail (Lancaster Co.) - 29 acres, ½N ofMartell. Bluegill, largemouth bass, channelcatfish. Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimumlength; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.Handicap-accessible concrete boat ramp,boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Ownedby the Lower Platte South NRD. Lakerenovated in 2007, fishery restocked anddeveloping. Good opportunity starting in late2008.

Crystal Springs Lakes (Jefferson Co.) - 6acres in 3 lakes, Fairbury - Crystal SpringsRd, west of Frederick St. Bluegill,largemouth bass, carp, channel catfish,rainbow trout seasonally in middle lake; noboats allowed; camping.

Cub Creek 9B (Leisure Lake) (JeffersonCo.) - 25 acres, 1E, 4S of Plymouth. Carp,channel catfish. Boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake). Owned by the Lower Big BlueNRD; very turbid. Lake lowered in 2007 forroad repair, limited opportunity.

Cub Creek Watershed 12A (Jefferson Co.) -27 acres, 3W, 4½S of Plymouth. Carp,channel catfish. Boat ramp, all boats allowed;turbid. Owned by the Lower Big Blue NRD.

Czechland Lake (Saunders Co.) - 85 acres,1N, ¼W of Prague. Bluegill, channel catfish,bullhead, crappie, largemouth bass. Sunfish- 8-inch minimum length; Crappie - 10-inchminimum length. Concrete boat ramp, boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake), wheelchair-accessible fishing pier. Owned by the LowerPlatte North NRD.

David City Park Ponds (Butler Co.) - 6 acresin 3 ponds, David City – south edge, eastside of Hwy 15. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish, rainbow trout seasonally inwest lake. Largemouth bass and bluegill -catch and release; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3.

Dodge Park (Missouri River) (Douglas Co.) -Omaha - 11000 N River Rd. Buffalo, carp,channel and flathead catfish, crappie.

Donald Whitney WMA (Gage Co.) - 43 acresin 2 lakes, 3½W of Odell. Bullhead, channeland flathead catfish. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed; turbid.

Elkhorn Crossing (Elkhorn River) (DouglasCo.) - 1S, ¾E of Hwy 36 and County Rd. 92junction. Carp, channel and flathead catfish,shovelnose sturgeon. Owned by thePapio/Missouri NRD.

Fairbury Dam (Little Blue River) (JeffersonCo.) - Fairbury - S edge at C St. Carp,channel and flathead catfish. Trail and deckson old railroad bridge.

Flathead WMA (Little Blue River) (JeffersonCo.) - 1S of Fairbury. Channel and flatheadcatfish, carp.

Fontenelle Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 4acres, Omaha - 45th and Ames Avenue atFontenelle Blvd. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Largemouth bass andbluegill - catch and release. Channel catfish- daily bag limit of 3; Restricted to childrenunder 16, adults with a child that is activelyfishing, and adults 65 or older.

Glenn Cunningham Lake (Douglas Co.) -390 acres, Omaha - 96th and State. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass, walleye,crappie to be stocked. Boat ramp, boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Open 5 a.m.to 11 p.m. Lake rehabilitation project in2007, limited opportunity in 2008.

Hamburg Bend WMA (Missouri River) (OtoeCo.) - 4SE of Nebraska City, south of OPPDpower plant. Channel, blue, and flatheadcatfish, carp, shovelnose sturgeon. Accessto river - half-mile walk.

Hanscom Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 1 acre,Omaha - 32nd Ave. and Center St.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass and bluegill - catch andrelease; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of3; Restricted to children under 16, adultswith a child that is actively fishing, andadults 65 or older.

Haworth Park (Missouri River) (Sarpy Co.) -Bellevue - Payne Drive off Hwy 370. Buffalo,carp, channel and flathead catfish, crappie.Concrete boat ramp owned by city,launching fee.

Haworth Park Pond (Sarpy Co.) - 1 acre,Bellevue - East edge off Hwy 370.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.

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Overland Trails Lake (York Co.) - 14 acres,3E, 1½S of York. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Owned by the Upper BigBlue NRD; dam leaks, low water levels.Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Oxbow Trails Lake (Butler Co.) - 43 acres,1½E of Ulysses. Bluegill, channel catfish,bullhead, largemouth bass. Owned by theUpper Big Blue NRD; concrete boat ramp,boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake); turbid,dam leaks, water may be low.

Papio D-4 (Douglas Co.) - 30 acres, NWOmaha - ¼N of NE 36 and 98th St. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass. Owned bythe Papio/Missouri NRD, walk-in accessonly. Lake drained in 2006, limited opportunity.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Papio 13 – West Dodge Park Lake (DouglasCo.) - 60 acres, Omaha - 192nd and WestDodge Road. Largemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish. Largemouth bass – 21-inchminimum length; Panfish – daily bag limit of10; Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3.Built in 2006, limited opportunity. Concreteboat ramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake).

Pawnee City Pond (Pawnee Co.) - 1 acre,Pawnee City - SW edge, W side of Hwy 65.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass and bluegill - catch andrelease; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Pawnee Lake SRA (Lancaster Co.) - 740acres, 2N, 1½W of Emerald. Carp, channeland flathead catfish, bluegill, crappie,freshwater drum, white perch, largemouthand white bass, sauger, walleye. Panfish -daily bag limit of 10. Modern and primitivecamping; all boats allowed, several concreteboat ramps.

Pawnee Prairie WMA (Pawnee Co.) - 5 acresin 7 ponds, 6S, 2E, 2S of Burchard. Bluegill,largemouth bass. Largemouth bass - totalcatch and release. Walk-in access only.

Peru (Missouri River) (Nemaha Co.) - 1½ Eof Peru. Buffalo, carp, channel and flatheadcatfish, shovelnose sturgeon. Concrete boatramp.

Platte River Access (Douglas Co.) - 4W ofValley, SE corner of Hwy 6 bridge. Carp,freshwater drum, channel and flatheadcatfish, shovelnose sturgeon.

Platte River State Park (Platte River) (CassCo.) - 2S, 3W of Louisville. Carp, channeland flathead catfish, freshwater drum,shovelnose sturgeon. Cabins. Walk-inaccess to river.

Plattsmouth City Lake (Cass Co.) - 3 acres,Plattsmouth - S 18th St and 5th Ave.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass and bluegill - catch andrelease; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of3. Wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.

Prairie Knoll WMA (Pawnee Co.) - 6 acres,2W, 2N DuBois. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed.

Prairie View Lake (Douglas Co.) - 42 acres,2W of Bennington, 180th and Hwy 36.Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - total catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3. Owned byPapio-Missouri NRD; concrete boat ramp,boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Open 6a.m. to 10 p.m.

Qwest Lake (Cass Co.) - 10 acres, Eugene T.Mahoney State Park, I-80 exit 426. Bluegill,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass,rainbow trout seasonally. Largemouth bassand bluegill - catch and release; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit is 3. Only barblesshooks or hooks with flattened barbs may beused. Electric motor or nonpowered boatsallowed.

Recharge Lake (York Co.) - 49 acres, 1½W ofYork. Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouthbass. Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimumlength; Panfish - daily bag limit of 10;Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.Concrete boat ramp, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake). Owned by the Upper BigBlue NRD.

Red Cedar (Saunders Co.) - 50 acres, 5½N,2W of the north edge of Valparaiso. Bluegill,crappie, channel and flathead catfish,largemouth bass. Boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake), boat ramp. Owned by the LowerPlatte South NRD, turbid.

Redtail WMA (Butler Co.) - 17 acres, 1E, ½Nof Dwight. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Walk-in access only.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.

Little Blue WMA (Little Blue River) (ThayerCo.) - 2E of Hebron. Channel and flatheadcatfish.

Little Blue East WMA (Little Blue River)(Thayer Co.) - 4E of Hebron. Channel andflathead catfish.

Lone Star Recreation Area (Fillmore Co.) -75 acres, 3½ E, ½ S of Ohiowa. Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish. Largemouthbass - 21-inch minimum length. Built in2006. Wheelchair-accessible fishing deck,concrete boat ramp, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake).

Louisville SRA (Cass Co.) - 40 acres in 5lakes, ½NW of Louisville. Bluegill, channelcatfish, crappie, largemouth bass, wiper(Lake No. 2), bullheads. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Panfish - daily bag limitof 10 in combination; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3; Wiper - 18-inch minimumlength, daily bag limit of 1; Bullhead - dailybag limit of 5. Electric motor or nonpoweredboats allowed. Modern and primitivecamping.

Louisville SRA (Platte River) (Cass Co.) -½NW of Louisville. Carp, freshwater drum,channel and flathead catfish, shovelnosesturgeon. Concrete boat ramp just west ofHwy 50, on north side of river.

Margrave WMA (Big Nemaha River)(Richardson Co.) - 1½S, 2¾E of Preston.Channel catfish, carp. Walk-in access toriver, half-mile walk.

Mayberry WMA (Pawnee Co.) - 25 acres, 5N,1¼E of Burchard. Bluegill, bullhead, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed, walk-in access.

Meadowlark (Seward Co.) - 55 acres, 4W,1N, 1½W of Agnew. Bluegill, crappie,channel catfish, largemouth bass to bestocked. Largemouth bass - 21-inchminimum length; Panfish - daily bag limit of10 in combination; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3; No live baitfish can be used orpossessed. Handicap-accessible concreteboat ramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake). Owned by the Lower Platte SouthNRD. Fishery renovated in 2007, fisheryrestocked and developing. Good opportunitystarting in late 2008.

Memphis Lake SRA (Saunders Co.) - 81acres, ¼W of Memphis. Bluegill, redearsunfish, channel catfish, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3. Primitive gravelboat launch area, smaller craft only. Electricmotor or nonpowered boats allowed.Wheelchair-accessible fishing deck.Primitive camping.

Merganser Lake (Lancaster Co.) - 41 acres,½N, 1E, ¼N of Kramer. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. Largemouth bass -21-inch minimum length. Boats restricted to5 mph (no wake), rock/gravel boat ramp.Owned by the Lower Platte South NRD.

Meridian WMA (Little Blue River) (ThayerCo.) - 3S, ½W of Alexandria. Channel andflathead catfish, carp.

Midlands Lake (Douglas Co.) – 11 acres,Papillion – Washington and Capehart Rd.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass – 21-inch minimum lengthPanfish – daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Boats restrictedto 5 mph (no wake). New lake first stockedin 2007.

Miller Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 4 acres,Omaha - 30th St. and Redick Ave.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish;Largemouth bass and bluegill - catch andrelease; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of3; Restricted to children under 16, adultswith a child that is actively fishing, andadults 65 or older.

Oak Lake (Lancaster Co.) - 47 acres in 3lakes, NW Lincoln - Charleston St. and SunValley Blvd. Bullhead, carp, green sunfish.City of Lincoln lake; shallow, subject to fishkills.

Olive Creek Lake SRA (Lancaster Co.) - 175acres, 2E, 1S of Kramer. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. Largemouth bass -21-inch minimum length; Sunfish - 8-inchminimum length; No live baitfish can beused or possessed. Primitive camping;concrete boat ramp, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake), wheelchair-accessiblefishing pier.

Osage WMA (Johnson Co.) - 4 acres in 4ponds, 3N, 2W, ¾N of Tecumseh. Bluegill,largemouth bass.

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Towl Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 1 acre;Omaha - West Center Rd. and 93rd (enterat Paddock Rd. traffic light). Largemouthbass, bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow troutseasonally. Largemouth bass and bluegill -catch and release; Channel catfish - dailybag limit of 3; Restricted to children under16, adults with a child that is actively fishing,and adults 65 or older.

Twin Lakes WMA (Seward Co.) - 270 acres in2 lakes, 2½N, ½W of Pleasant Dale. Bluegill,bullhead, channel catfish, crappie, carp,largemouth bass, muskellunge, walleye,white bass. Boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake). Concrete boat ramp on East Lake;area closed to fishing Oct. 15 through Dec. 31.

Twin Oaks WMA (Big Nemaha River)(Johnson Co.) - 2E, 2S, ¾W of Tecumseh.Channel catfish, carp. Walk-in access toriver, half-mile walk.

Twin Oaks WMA (Johnson Co.) - 2 acres in 2ponds, 2E, 4S of Tecumseh. Bluegill,largemouth bass.

Two Rivers SRA (Douglas Co.) - 32 acres in 7lakes, 1½S of Venice. Bluegill, bullhead,carp, crappie, channel catfish, largemouthbass, grass pickerel, rainbow trout in LakeNo. 5. Lake Nos. 3 and 4 are designated ascatch and release for largemouth bass andchannel catfish, only barbless or flattened-barb hooks allowed. Lake Nos. 1, 2, 6 & 7 –Channel catfish – daily bag limit of 3;Bullhead – daily bag limit of 5. No boats onLake No. 5, other lakes boats with electrictrolling motors only; wheelchair-accessiblefishing deck on Lake No. 5. Trout fishing inLake No. 5 is best from April 1 to early June.Open dates for trout fishing will be publishedand posted. Trout fishing hours are 7 a.m. tosunset. A daily trout tag is required toattempt to take and to possess trout on theentire area. Cost of a tag is $4, which allowsthe harvest of four trout. Anglers maypurchase up to 3 tags, and can possess upto 12 trout. An adult angler is allowed tohave two children under 16 fish under theirtag, but the group is still limited to four troutper tag. One pole or rod and reel per angleron Lake No. 5. Check at park office. Archeryfishing, spearing, and gigging are prohibitedon area lakes. Cabins and camping.

Two Rivers SRA (Platte River) (Douglas Co.)- 1½S of Venice. Carp, channel and flatheadcatfish, shovelnose sturgeon. Walk-inaccess River.

Verdon Lake SRA (Richardson Co.) - 30acres, ½W of Verdon. Bluegill, channelcatfish, bullhead, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum length.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed;primitive camping.

Wagon Train Lake SRA (Lancaster Co.) - 315acres, 2E of Hickman. Bluegill, redear sunfish,channel catfish, largemouth bass, walleye,muskellunge. Largemouth bass - 21-inchminimum length; Muskellunge - 40-inchminimum length. Primitive and modern camping;concrete boat ramp, boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake), wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.

Walnut Creek Reservoir Recreation Area(Sarpy Co.) - 100 acres, Papillion - 96thand Hwy 370. Bluegill, redear sunfish,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum length;Sunfish – 8-inch minimum length; Panfish -daily bag of 10; Crappie - 10-inch minimumlength limit. Owned by the City of Papillion;area closes at 10 p.m. Wheelchair-accessiblefishing deck and island; concrete boat ramp,boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Walnut Creek 2A (Saline Co.) - 26 acres, ½E,3½N of Crete. Bluegill, bullhead, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. Largemouth bass -21-inch minimum length. Concrete boatramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).Owned by the Lower Big Blue NRD, shallow.

Walnut Grove Park Pond (Douglas Co.) - 1acre, Millard - Q St. across from Millard SouthH.S. Largemouth bass, bluegill, channelcatfish. Largemouth bass and bluegill - catchand release; Channel catfish - daily bag limitof 3; Restricted to children under 16, adultswith a child that is actively fishing, and adults65 or older.

Weeping Water Pond (Cass Co.) - 4 acres,Weeping Water - S of Clinton Street.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish,rainbow trout seasonally. Largemouth bass -catch and release; Panfish - daily bag limitof 10; Channel catfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Riverview Marina SRA (Missouri River)(Otoe Co.) - Nebraska City, N. 4th St. and14th Ave. Buffalo, carp, channel andflathead catfish, shovelnose sturgeon. Boatramp, primitive camping.

Rockford Lake SRA (Gage Co.) - 150 acres,7E, 2S of Beatrice. Bluegill, bullhead, carp,channel and flathead catfish, crappie,walleye, largemouth bass. All boats allowed,concrete boat ramp; camping.

Rose Creek WMA (Rose Creek - 2 locations)(Jefferson Co.) - 2S, 2½W, 1½S and 2S,3½W, 2S of Fairbury. Channel catfish, carp,bullhead.

Rulo Access (Missouri River) (RichardsonCo.) - South of Hwy 159 Bridge near Rulo,river mile 497.8. Buffalo, carp, bullhead,channel and flathead catfish, shovelnosesturgeon. Boat ramp.

Schilling WMA (Missouri and Platte Rivers)(Cass Co.) - Plattsmouth - N on SchillingRd. from Main St. Carp, freshwater drum,channel and flathead catfish, shovelnosesturgeon. Bank access to Missouri andPlatte rivers, except when closed by theCommission due to poor road conditions.

Shadow Lake (Douglas Co.) – 30 acres,Papillion – Washington and Capehart Rd.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass – 21-inch minimum length;Panfish – daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish – daily bag limit of 3. Boats restrictedto 5 mph (no wake). New lake stocked in2007.

Shady Trail (Big Blue River) (Saline Co.) –1W, 4N, 1/2W, 1/2N of Crete. Carp, channeland flathead catfish.

Smith Creek (Seward Co.) - 21 acres, 2N,2W, ¼N of Beaver Crossing. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass. Boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Owned by theUpper Big Blue NRD; turbid.

Stagecoach Lake SRA (Lancaster Co.) - 195acres, 1½S, ½W of Hickman. Bluegill,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass,walleye, wiper, carp. Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum length; Wiper – daily bag limitof 3, with no more than 1 fish over 18inches. Primitive and modern camping;concrete boat ramp, boats restricted to 5mph (no wake), wheelchair-accessiblefishing pier.

Standing Bear Lake (Douglas Co.) - 135acres, Omaha -132nd and Military. Bluegill,channel catfish, crappie, freshwater drum,grass carp, largemouth bass, walleye, carp,rainbow trout seasonally. Electric motor ornonpowered boats allowed. City of Omahalake; concrete boat ramp, Open 5 a.m. to 11p.m.

Steinhart Park Ponds (Otoe Co.) - 5 acres in2 ponds, Nebraska City - N of Business Hwy2 off Steinhart Park Rd. Largemouth bass,bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow troutseasonally in east pond. Largemouth bassand bluegill - catch and release; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Swan Creek 2A WMA (Saline Co.) - 16 acres,14W, 3N of Wilber. Bluegill, bullhead,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass.Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake), shallow.

Swan Creek 67 (Saline Co.) - 39 acres, 3N,1W of Swanton. Bluegill, crappie, channelcatfish, largemouth bass. Concrete boat ramp,boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Ownedby the Lower Big Blue NRD. Fish renovationin 2007, fishery restocked and developing.Good opportunity starting late 2008.

Tanglewood (Lancaster Co.) - 33 acres, ½N,1W, ½S of Kramer. Bluegill, bullhead,channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass.Owned by the Lower Platte South NRD.

Teal Lake WMA (Lancaster Co.) - 29 acres,2S of Kramer. Bluegill, bullhead, channeland flathead catfish, largemouth bass.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.Subject to frequent fish kills due to lowwater levels.

Tecumseh City Pond (Johnson Co.) - 2acres, Tecumseh - N. 1st St at fairgrounds.Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish.Largemouth bass - catch and release;Panfish - Daily bag limit of 10; Channelcatfish - daily bag limit of 3.

Timber Point (Butler Co.) - 28 acres, 1S, 2Eof Brainard. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass, muskellunge. Largemouthbass - 21-inch minimum length. Handicap-accessible concrete boat ramp, boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Tobacco Island WMA (Missouri River) (CassCo.) - ½E, 1S of Plattsmouth. Carp,freshwater drum, channel and flatheadcatfish, shovelnose sturgeon.

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Wehrspann Lake Recreation Area (Sarpy Co.)- 245 acres, Omaha - 156th and Giles Rd.Bluegill, bullhead, blue and channel catfish,crappie, largemouth bass, walleye. Largemouthbass - 21-inch minimum length; Crappie - 10-inch minimum length, except during April;Panfish - daily bag limit of 10. Concrete boatramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake),wheelchair-accessible pier. Owned by thePapio/Missouri NRD, area closes at 10 p.m.

Whitehawk (Douglas Co) – 30 acres, Omaha– 192nd and F. Largemouth bass andbluegill. Walk-in access only.

Wild Plum (Lancaster Co.) - 16 acres, 1½N,½W of Kramer. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Boats restricted to 5 mph(no wake). Owned by the Lower PlatteSouth NRD.

Wildwood Lake (Lancaster Co.) - 103 acres,1W, 1½N of Agnew. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass, walleye. Largemouth bassand channel catfish - catch and release;Sunfish - 8-inch minimum length. No livebaitfish can be used or possessed. Concreteboat ramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake); primitive camping; wheelchair-accessible fishing deck. Owned by theLower Platte South NRD.

Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area (SalineCo.) - 95 acres, 3E, 2N of Tobias. Bluegill,channel catfish, largemouth bass.Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum length.Owned by the Lower Big Blue NRD;wheelchair-accessible deck, concrete boatramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Wilson Creek 2X WMA (Otoe Co.) - 15 acres,3E, 1½S of Otoe. Bluegill, channel catfish,crappie, largemouth bass, grass carp.Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.Owned by the Nemaha NRD, very shallow.

Wilson Creek 4F (Prairie Owl) (Otoe Co.) -38 acres, 2S, 1W, ¼S of Dunbar. Bluegill,bullhead, blue and channel catfish, crappie,largemouth bass. Boat ramp, boatsrestricted to 5 mph (no wake). Owned by theNemaha NRD; very turbid.

Wirth Brothers Lake (Johnson Co.) - 1W,3S, 1W of Cook. Bluegill, channel catfish,largemouth bass. Owned by the NemahaNRD (NRD entry permit required); boatramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake);dam leaks, level fluctuates.

Wolf Wildcat No. 12 (Gage Co.) - 42 acres,7S of Virginia. Bluegill, channel catfish,crappie, largemouth bass. Owned by theLower Big Blue NRD; primitive boat ramp,boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).

Yankee Hill Lake WMA (Lancaster Co.) - 208acres, 2½E, 1S of Denton. Bluegill, channelcatfish, largemouth bass, walleye.Largemouth bass - 21-inch minimum length;Sunfish - 8-inch minimum length. No livebaitfish can be used or possessed.Wheelchair-accessible concrete boat ramp;boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Lakerefilled in 2007 after rehabilitation project,limited opportunity in 2008.

Zorinsky Lake Recreation Area (DouglasCo.) - 255 acres, Omaha - 156th and FBluegill, bullhead, channel and blue catfish,crappie, largemouth bass, walleye,muskellunge. Largemouth bass - 21-inchminimum length; Crappie -10-inch minimumlength, except during April; Panfish - dailybag limit of 10 in combination. City ofOmaha lake, area open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m;wheelchair-accessible fishing deck, concreteboat ramp, boats restricted to 5 mph (nowake).

Stopping PoachersNebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers

Call 1-800-742-7627to report game violationsYou can remain anonymous and

may be eligible for a cash reward.

STOPPOACHING

1-800-742-7627

WILDLIFECRIMESTOPPERS

STOPPOACHING

1-800-742-7627

WILDLIFECRIMESTOPPERS

HeadquartersTed Blume (Adm.) Lincoln (402) 471-5531Craig Stover (Asst. Adm.) Lincoln (402) 471-5532Wes Loos (Asst. Adm.) Lincoln (402) 471-5591Rod Loos (Asst. Adm.) Ogallala (308) 284-8056Murray Johnson Lincoln (402) 471-5003

PanhandleOfficer City PhoneJim Zimmerman Gering H.(308) 436-7561

(District I Supervisor) W (308) 763-2940Dan Kling Whitney (308) 432-8367Walt Meyer Chadron (308) 432-4398Frank Miller Valentine (402) 376-1183Dennis Thompson Ogallala (308) 284-6450Dan Zuehlke Ogallala (308) 284-4815Scott Brandt Gering (308) 436-3418Heath Packett Gordon (308) 282-2553Doug Pollard Oshkosh (308) 772-9950

NortheastOfficer City PhoneTom Zimmer Norfolk H (402) 371-6625

(District III Supervisor) W (402) 370-3374Marion Shafer Norfolk (402) 371-2031Robert Kelly Albion (402) 395-2538Ross Oestmann Bloomfield (402) 373-4412Daniel Roberts Fremont (402) 721-7852Jon Reeves Kennard (402) 427-7378Eric Wiebe Ponca (402) 755-2566Steve Oberg Columbus (402) 564-5937Patrick George O’Neill (402) 336-1588Dale Davis Bassett (402) 273-1700Tim Williams Neligh (402) 887-1335Cory Krause West Point (402) 372-6979

SouthwestOfficer City PhoneRoger Thompson North Platte H (308) 532-9175

(District IV Supervisor) W (308) 535-8025Dudley Sorensen North Platte (308) 532-0747George Sund Cambridge (308) 697-4629

Southwest (cont.)Officer City PhoneMatt Andrews Elwood (308) 785-3025Dirk Greene Imperial (308) 882-5328Virgil Gosch McCook (308) 345-2185Rich Routh Republican City (308) 799-2085Ray Dierking Broken Bow (308) 872-3078Mike Thome Cozad (308) 784-4362

SoutheastOfficer City PhoneDuane Arp Gretna H.(402) 332-4954

(District V Supervisor) W (402) 332-2965Douglas Kramer Lincoln (402) 466-9001Dina Barta Lincoln (402) 483-2358Stacey Lewton Lincoln (402) 476-0436William Krause Auburn (402) 274-3789Mike Luben Colon (402) 443-4278Levi Krause Louisville (402) 234-2212Russell Mort Nebraska City (402) 873-5684Jeff Clauson Valley (402) 359-5301Sean McKeehan Ashland (402) 944-4174Jeremy TenKley Beatrice (402) 228-1437Dan Evasco Papillion (402) 592 6733

South-centralOfficer City PhoneJerry Pecha Kearney H (308) 234-4411

(District VI Supervisor) W (308) 865-5327Terry Brentzel Grand Island (308) 384-8296Dale Johnson Kearney (308) 237-1079Mark Reeves Loup City (308) 745-0748Robert Finke Milford (402) 761-3537Darin Gress Hebron (402) 768-2287Richard Seward Ord (308) 728-3115Randy Pomplun Fullerton (308) 536-2987Jeff Jones Clay Center (402) 762 3124

NOTE: Most listings are home phone numbers. If youneed to report a game violation in progress and can’treach the officer, contact the sheriff’s department in thecounty or call Wildlife Crimestoppers, 1-800-742-7627.

CONSERVATION OFFICERS

NOW ON THE WEBGo to www.OutdoorNebraska.orgfor:• Permits• State Records• How to Weigh a Fish by Length• Tournament Registration Form• Fish Consumption Advisory• Lake Maps• Fish Stocking Reports• Fish Identification Guide

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