Places to go fishing in Nebraska
For fishing in Nebraska, the hardest decision is deciding where to fish. The state has over 450 lakes and streams that are open to the public for fishing. The large reservoirs are great places to find fantastic walleye, white bass, wipers, Largemouth bass and more. Smaller bodies of water are great places to take the kids to fish for bluegill. Most of the smaller lakes in the state produce quality 8-inch bluegill on almost a daily basis.
However, if you’re looking to score some quality Largemouth bass action, anglers recommend places like Pioneer Trails or Walnut Creek #2A near Crete. Both of these spots are known for top-notch catching Largemouth bass larger than 15 inches.
Or, maybe you’re more of a trout-catching person. Perfect! Nebraska is home to many colder water places where anglers have their fair share of catching rainbows, browns, brooks, and the rare tiger and cutthroat trout. Some of the best places include Long Pine, East Branch of the Verdigre Creek and Soldiers – most of which are in the west and northern parts of Nebraska.
Looking for catfish? That’s the easiest species to find a place for as they can be caught in waters across the entire state. Definitely try your luck at Branched Oak Lake or Zorinksy in the east, Lake Sutherland in the west, or even Oliver in the southwest.
Simply put, it doesn’t matter what you want to fish for or where you want to go, the state of Nebraska has some of the best places to fish in the country.
For a list of licenses, fees and where to buy, see our Nebraska Fishing License page.
The locations below are listed alphabetically in the region of the state and just a sampling of the many places to go fishing and some of the species you can catch in Nebraska.
Places To Go Fishing In Nebraska
Northwest Nebraska
Box Butte Reservoir: This reservoir is decent in size, coming in at about 1,600 acres. It is 9 miles north of Hemingford, between Hwy 385 and route 71. This body of water is fishable year-round – as long as you’re with ice-fishing. It offers pretty decent fishing from shore and even better fishing from a boat, kayak, or canoe.
Popular Species To Catch: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Black Crappie, Walleye, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike
East Nebraska
Branched Oak Lake: Branched Oak Lake is another sizable body of water in the state of Nebraska, coming in at 1,800 acres. It one of the best fisheries in the state due to the wide variety of species to catch, including crappie and multiple catfish species. Some of the best catfishing is done just after the ice-out on the lake. The best flathead catfishing is said to be done during the summer months of July and August, near rock jetties and up against the shores where the catfish are looking for an easy meal. Flatheads in this lake are regularly caught up into the 40-lb range. The spring is definitely the time to go for crappie, again, near the rock jetties and brush piles in shallow water.
Popular Species To Catch: Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Wipers, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill
Southeast Nebraska
Burchard Lake: Burchard Lake is on the small side, only reaching 150 acres. But, what it lacks in size, many say it makes up in quality of the fish caught. It is located just a few miles north of Pawnee City. Burchard Lake is kind of off the beaten path, but not hard to get to. Once you get there, you will see right away the abundance of top-quality bass the small lake holds. The lake has a reputation of regularly producing bass in the 5 – 6 pound range. But, if you’re not really into bass fishing, it also has a pretty decent channel catfish, bluegill and crappie population. Burchard Lake has also become a favorite for midwest bass anglers fishing from a kayak. Fishing with frogs, plastic worms, and crankbaits are said to work very well here.
Popular Species To Catch: Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Crappie, Trout, Walleye
To see the full list of Nebraska fishing licenses and prices, please visit our Nebraska Fishing License page.
Many more locations to come. If you have any favorite spots or bodies of water that you think should definitely be on this page, please send us a note.
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