Nebraska offers outstanding fishing across 3,000+ lakes and 12,000 miles of streams. Lake McConaughy — the Big Mac — is the crown jewel with 30,000 acres of world-class walleye, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass fishing. The Sandhills region features hundreds of natural lakes, the Missouri River forms the eastern border with giant blue catfish and paddlefish, and the Platte River system provides excellent channel catfish and panfish opportunities across five diverse regions.
Fishing Regulations
- Bag and possession limits vary between inland waters and waters of the Missouri River.
- Fish subject to length limits may not be filleted on the water (only gills, viscera, scales removed).
- Fish or aquatic animals in public storage must be labeled with owner info.
- Individual lakes have special limits (e.g., Branched Oak, Lake Wanahoo).
11 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Central Nebraska & Sandhills
Calamus Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir, Davis Creek, Merritt Reservoir
40 spots
Eastern Nebraska & Missouri River
Missouri River, Lewis & Clark Lake, DeSoto Bend, Two Rivers
40 spots
Panhandle & North Platte Valley
Lake McConaughy, North Platte River, Lake Minatare, Winters Creek
40 spots
Southeastern Nebraska
Pawnee Lake, Wagon Train, Conestoga, Wildwood
40 spots
Southwestern Nebraska & Republican River
Harlan County Reservoir, Republican River, Swanson Reservoir, Enders Reservoir
40 spots
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.


