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Fishing in Nebraska

Click a region to explore top fishing spots, species, and local tips.

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.

Topographic map — click to view full size

Panhandle & North Platte Valley

Lake McConaughy, North Platte River, Lake Minatare, Winters Creek -- Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie

Central Nebraska & Sandhills

Calamus Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir, Davis Creek, Merritt Reservoir -- Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill

Eastern Nebraska & Missouri River

Missouri River, Lewis & Clark Lake, DeSoto Bend, Two Rivers -- Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Paddlefish, Sauger, Walleye

Southeastern Nebraska

Branched Oak, Pawnee Lake, Wagon Train, Conestoga, Wildwood -- Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Walleye

Southwestern Nebraska & Republican River

Harlan County Reservoir, Republican River, Swanson Reservoir, Enders Reservoir -- Walleye, White Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Wiper