Nebraska Fishing Reports
03-16-2008
11-16-2007
Panhandle Fire hazard alert anglers and hunters should be aware the Pine Ridge area is very dry and the potential for fire is very high. Use extreme caution. Dispose of all smoking materials carefully, do not park vehicles in tall grass, carry a shovel to help put out fire if it occurs.
Fishing
Lake McConaughy -- surface temperature at the dam was 64 degrees. Elevation was 3,206.8 feet, which was 58.2 feet lower than maximum elevation, and 7.3 feet higher than the elevation at this time last year. Boats can be launched at Spillway Bay and Martin Bay.
Wipers and white bass good success in mornings and evenings using Doll Flies, slab spoons or Kastmasters in the Lemoyne, Lakeview, Ogallala Beach and North Shore areas.
Channel catfish good success in the Lemoyne, Lakeview, Ogallala Beach and North Shore areas using cutbait, nightcrawlers or bait shrimp.
Walleye fair success using slab spoons from the dam to Ogallala Beach on the south side and in the Martin Bay area on the north side of the lake.
Lake Ogallala the surface temperature was 64 degrees.
Channel catfish fair success catching 5- to 15-pound channel catfish on cut baits, nightcrawlers throughout the lake.
Yellow perch good success catching 6-8 inch perch, a few to 10 inches, throughout the lake on nightcrawlers.
Fishing
Calamus Reservoir some white bass taken from the shore, very windy conditions; some channel catfish taken from water 35-50 feet deep.
Fishing
Loup Canal some success taking channel catfish on prepared baits.
Lake North some success taking channel catfish on prepared baits.
Fishing
Johnson Lake (inlet) good success catching white bass and wipers on spinners, Kastmasters, shad; a few walleye on jigs.
Tri-County Canal (from Johnson Lake into eastern Lincoln County) fair success on smaller white bass.
Harlan County Reservoir - some success on white bass averaging about 1 pound; some success on channel catfish to 18 pounds, averaging 2-6 pounds; a few wipers to 8 pounds, averaging 4-6 pounds; walleye success very slow.
Sherman Reservoir the only open boat ramp was at the big campground on Trail No. 2, across the bay from the marina; some crappie taken from the dam on jigs or minnows.
Fishing
Missouri River (Nemaha, Richardson counties) some success taking flathead, channel catfish on chubs; (Otoe County) good success catching flathead and channel catfish in Nebraska City area on chubs, bluegill, goldfish.
Lakes, Farm Ponds (Nemaha, Richardson, Pawnee counties) some largemouth bass on weedless surface lures fished over vegetation; (Otoe, Johnson counties) fishing picked up with arrival of cooler weather, some largemouth bass taken on lures; some crappie on small minnows.
Louisville Lakes (Lake No. 3) some channel catfish to 5 pounds on liver.
TROUT! ... Here are the dates, locations and amounts of pan-sized, 10-inch rainbow trout to be stocked in the Omaha-Metro and surrounding area for fall & winter fishing (some may have been stocked already depending on the date):
*October 9 - Fremont SRA Lake #5 near Fremont, 4,250
*October 10 - Standing Bear Lake in northwest Omaha, 4,000
*October 15 - Weeping Water Pond in Weeping Water, 1,200
*October 15 - Steinhart Park Pond in Nebraska City, 1,200
*October 16 - Qwest Lake at Mahoney State Park near Ashland, 2,500
*October 16 - Benson Park Pond in Omaha, 1,050
*October 16 - Halleck Park Pond in Papillion, 1,200
*October 17 - Additonal Stocking at Standing Bear Lake in Omaha, 2,500
*October 22 - Towl Park Pond in Omaha, 300
*October 22 - Hitchcock Park Pond in Omaha, 450
TROUT TIPS ... Here are some tips from our NG & PC fisheries division biologists to help you and your kids catch these stocked, pan-sized rainbow trout this fall:
~ Remember that these trout cruise around quite a bit, so be willing to fish different spots on that water body in about 3-7 feet of water near the bottom and do not overlook points and corners
~ Keep in mind that these trout have been raised in a hatchery-type, controlled setting and fed prepared foods, so at least initially, Powerbait, corn, salmon eggs and worms are all good baits to use to catch them. Then, later in the fall season on into winter, use minnows and/or minnow-like lures & flies to land them as well as waxworms (even in the open water!)
HIGHWAY 50/PLATTE RIVER BOAT RAMP ... The boat ramp to the Platte River on the northwest side of the Highway 50 Bridge near Louisville has reopened to boating traffic only. This area is off limits to foot and motorized vehicle traffic!
CUNNINGHAM LAKE PROJECT UPDATE ... The Cunningham Lake Aquatic Rehab Project in northwest Omaha has moved ahead of schedule. Excavation should be completed by spring, if not sooner. See the progress being made by accessing the area at Entrance #2 just west of the dam near 96th & State Street. When the lake project is completed, anglers, sail boaters and others will find a dramatically improved water body for outdoor recreation!
PAPIO DAM SITE #13 REMAINS CLOSED ... According to the Papio-Missouri River NRD, Papio Dam Site #13 located near 192nd & Blondo Street in west Omaha remains closed to public access for safety purposes due to construction.
WHO CAN FISH AT OMAHA CITY PARK PONDS & LAGOONS? ... Anglers need to note that persons 15 & under, those 62 or older and disabled/handicapped individuals possessing a special permit may fish the Omaha City Park Ponds and Lagoons (such as Benson Park Lagoon). In addition, adults with current, valid Nebraska fishing permits who are between the ages of 16 and 61 may fish these small water bodies, provided they have an actively fishing child 15 & under with them.
NEW DEER CHECK STATION ... Hitches Plus in Papillion (Ph: 331-4645) located just northwest of the intersection of Highway 370 and 72nd Street has been added as a new deer check station for hunters this fall and winter. Franks Tree House in south Omaha is no longer a deer check station.
TANKING ON THE ELKHORN RIVER ... There is one outfitter (Tank Down The Elkhorn) who rents stock tanks for float trips on the Elkhorn River near Omaha. The outfitter can be reached by calling 709-8693.
NO BOATS ON OFFUTT AFB LAKE ... Boating traffic is not being allowed on the Offutt Air Force Base Lake due to an infestation of zebra mussels.
TOXIC BLUE-GREEN ALGAE ALERTS ... Information on toxic blue-green algae alerts for public water bodies can be obtained by visiting the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality website, at: www.ndeq.state.ne.us
STATE PARK LODGING REMINDER ... There is a 30 percent discount on lodging on weekday nights (Mondays through Thursdays) at two area state parklands: Platte River (Ph: 234-2217) and Mahoney (1-402-944-2523).
IMPORTANT FISHING NOTES ... The minimum length limit on walleye in the Omaha area reservoirs is 15 inches ... River anglers in the area are still being reminded to check ID on the sturgeon they catch as the shovelnose may be possessed, but the pallid and lake must be returned to the water immediately.
Various Other Outdoor News Notes
MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTINGS ... Alleged sightings of mountain lions are taken seriously and need to be immediately reported to 911 Emergency, Game and Parks Commission Officials or the Nebraska Humane Society.