Nebraska Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ 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).
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye | 4 daily (8 possession) inland | Min 15 in, 1 over 22 in |
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) | 5 daily (10 possession aggregate) | Varies by water |
| Channel catfish | 5 daily (10 possession) | |
| Blue catfish | 5 daily | |
| Flathead catfish | 5 daily | |
| Crappie | 15 daily (30 possession) | |
| Bluegill & sunfish | 15 daily | |
| White bass & wipers | 8 daily | |
| Northern pike | 3 daily | |
| Trout | 4 daily | |
| Paddlefish (snagging) | 1 daily (seasonal) |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Branched Oak Lake
- Walleye: statewide (4 daily, 8 possession, 15 in min, 1 over 22 in).
Lake Wanahoo
- Walleye: 3 daily, 10 possession, no min length, 1 over 34 in.
Frye Lake WMA
- Black bass: no minimum length, max 1 over 18 in in the 5-fish bag.
Prairie View Lake
- Black bass: 15-18 in protected slot, max 1 over 18 in.
Wagon Train SRA
- Black bass: 15-18 in protected slot.
Duck Creek Recreation Area
- Black bass: 15-18 in protected slot.
Prairie Queen Recreation Area
- Black bass: 15-18 in protected slot.
Patriot Park Lake
- Black bass min 21 in.
Two Rivers SRA Trout Lake (Lake No. 5)
- Trout: catch and release allowed; no trout tag needed after Jun 1.
Clear Lake
- Northern pike: 24-34 in protected slot, max 1 over 34 in (3-fish bag).
Dewey Lake
- Northern pike: 24-34 in protected slot.
Hackberry Lake
- Northern pike: 24-34 in protected slot.
Pelican Lake
- Northern pike: 24-34 in protected slot.
Smith Lake WMA
- Northern pike: 10/day, max 3 over 22 in, max 1 over 34 in.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; paddlefish snagging spring season; ice fishing in winter.
Licence Fees
Nebraska fishing license required (resident/non-resident); fees per NGPC.
Edition: 2026 Nebraska Fishing Regulations (NGPC) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (outdoornebraska.gov/fishing)
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