OutdoorNebraska

2019FishingForecast

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Flathead Catfish – These are another species of large catfish that can be found in the Missouri River, as well as in reservoirs like Harlan, Sherman, Branched Oak and the Tri-County canal system. All flatheads at Branched Oak must be released immediately after capture and anglers should consider releasing big flatties on other fisheries as well. Sauger – Fishing for this species will be best on Lewis and Clark Reservoir and the Missouri River in northeast Nebraska, but Johnson Reservoir and the Tri-County canal system also have good numbers of sauger. Saugeye – This is a walleye/sauger hybrid. Stocking is producing some excellent opportunities for anglers to catch them in Meadowlark, Willard Meyer, Pawnee, Big Indian, Iron Horse Trail reservoirs and Crescent Lake. Yellow Perch – In 2019, some of the best fishing for this tasty and popular panfish will be found at Crane, Atkinson, Island, West Long and Watts lakes in the Sandhills. Northern Pike – Sandhill lakes are some of the best pike habitats in the state as well, and once again lakes on the Valentine NWR, Dewey, Clear, and Hackberry will be some of Nebraska's most popular pike fisheries. Box Butte Reservoir in the Panhandle also has an excellent pike fishery. Reservoirs in southern and eastern Nebraska are typically are too warm for cool-water northern pike, but Wanahoo is relatively new and has some pike habitat now. Remember that all pike are required to be released at Wanahoo. Bullheads – Some anglers scoff at the thought of fishing for bullheads, but there are others who specifically target "yellow bellies." They are a great fish for beginning anglers as they almost always are willing to bite. Bullhead fishing will be particularly good in 2019 at Crescent and Cottonwood-Steverson lakes. Muskellunge – This "king of freshwater sport fish" also can also be found in Nebraska waters. To catch this trophy, toothy predator, anglers should target Merritt, Calamus and Wagon Train reservoirs, as well as Fremont SRA Pit No. 20, and Grand Island's L.E. Ray Lake. Trout – Nebraska also has waters that support cold-water fish year-round where anglers can pursue a Trout Slam catching rainbows, browns, brooks, and possibly even cutthroats and tigers (brown trout/brook trout hybrids). Most of the cold-water trout streams are found in western and northern parts of the state; the East Branch of Verdigre Creek, Long Pine, Soldiers and Ninemile creeks are favorites among trout anglers. In 2019, the rainbow trout fishing at Lake Ogallala will continue to be good, and anglers might even catch some cutties from the White River in the Pine Ridge. Do not forget to pick up a copy of the 2018-2019 Public Access Atlas to find places to fish. It is available wherever fishing permits are sold and online at OutdoorNebraska.org. Photos: NGPC/NEBRASKAland

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