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Issue link: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1068722
Game and Parks Commission, fisheries outreach program manager Sandhill lakes tend to have lower densities of panfish like crappies, but can offer some of the biggest, fattest, black crappies in the state; Home Valley, Island and Cottonwood-Steverson lakes will be the best of the Sandhills this year. LARGEMOUTH BASS Water bodies that offer stable water levels, clean water and an abundance of shallow water cover, especially aquatic vegetation, are those in which largemouth bass thrive. In Nebraska, small reservoirs, Sandhills lakes, pits and ponds tend to provide the best of that habitat. Some of those waters can have high densities of bass, which tend to produce excellent panfish fishing as largemouth bass keep panfish numbers in check. However, waters with lots of bass may not necessarily be the best for producing big bass. When looking at the sampling data for the best bass waters, those with the highest numbers of bass may not offer the best opportunities to catch fish larger than 15 inches. On the other hand, lower densities of largemouth bass can offer anglers the best opportunities to catch bass larger than 15 inches. Some small- to medium-sized reservoirs that will be particularly good this year include Wanahoo, Czechland, Wehrspann, Willard Meyer and Iron Horse Trail. Carter Lake is not a reservoir, but it also will be good for green bass in 2019. Interstate lakes and public pits like those on the Alexandria State Recreation Area, Louisville No. 2, Bufflehead, Two Rivers No. 1 and Darr will also offer some excellent bass fishing in 2019. Sandhill lakes also can be good largemouth habitats and produce some pretty, chunky bass; Duck and West Long on the Valentine NWR and Home Valley will be good bets for Sandhill lake bass fishing this year. Private pits and ponds always produce some of the best bass fishing in the state, and many Nebraska anglers have permission to fish at least one of those privately- owned waters. In addition, some private pits and ponds have been enrolled in the Open Fields and Waters program and are open to the public. Refer to the Public Access Atlas (at outdoornebraska. org) for those waters. CHANNEL CATFISH Channel catfish are a popular fish in Nebraska, and are found widely across the state. Sutherland, Branched Oak, Midway, Big Alkali, Enders, Pawnee, Powder Creek, Red Willow and Prairie Queen each will offer good numbers of 16-inch-and-larger channel cats in 2019. For 24-inch and larger cats, anglers should plan to fish Wildwood, Meadowlark, Willard Meyer, Burchard and Johnson this year. Voluntary catch and release of large, trophy catfish is a practice that should be considered by anglers on any Nebraska water as it takes years to grow channel cats to that size. Catch and release of catfish is required at Wildwood. For a different experience, do not overlook Nebraska's warm-water rivers like the Missouri, Platte, Elkhorn, or Niobrara, as they also are excellent catfish fisheries. There are some areas where public access is available on Nebraska rivers, and, in addition, check out the Open Fields and Waters program for additional access to warm-water streams and rivers on private lands. OTHER SPECIES Nebraska is still the "mixed bag capital of the world," offering a diversity of fishing opportunities. Besides the species highlighted in the fish-sampling graphs, there are a variety of other fish that can be pursued. Redear Sunfish – In addition to bluegills, Nebraska offers opportunities to catch other sunfish species like redear sunfish at Lawrence Youngman and Cozad. Smallmouth Bass – They can be caught at War Axe, Johnson and McConaughy, as well as the Missouri River in northeast Nebraska. Blue Catfish – They can be found in reservoirs like Medicine Creek, Pawnee, Swanson and Branched Oak, but look to the Missouri River in southeast Nebraska for the biggest blue cats in the state – some fish weighing triple digits.