OutdoorNebraska

40 | Public Fishing Areas — Northwest Merritt Reservoir SRA/WMA: Cherry County, 2,900 acres, 26SW of Valentine. BBH, BLG, CAP, CCF, CRP, FRD, LMB, MUE, NOP, SMB, WAE, WHB. Walleye, Sauger, Saugeye - daily bag limit of four may include one from 15 to 18 inches and three over 18 inches or four over 18 inches but no more than one over 22 inches in length allowed in daily bag. Muskellunge minimum length limit is 50 inches. Channel catfish daily bag limit may include no more than one fish 30 inches or longer. All boats allowed. Modern and primitive camping. Map 15 Middle Loup River: Thomas County, BNT, CAP, CCF, RBT. Private access, permission required. Maps 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 Minnechaduza Creek: Cherry County, Valentine, below hatchery supply and in Valentine City Park. RBT. Rainbow trout seasonally stocked. Map 15 Monroe Creek: Sioux County, 4½N of Harrison. BKT. Public access on Gilbert-Baker WMA, otherwise private access, permission required. Map 1 Morrill Sandpits: Scotts Bluff County, 25 acres in three lakes, 3S of Morrill. BLG, CCF, CRP, LMB, RBT, YEP. County owned, permission required, check with the City of Morrill. No boating or camping. Map 3 Ninemile Creek: Scotts Bluff County, BNT, RBT. Public access at Nine Mile Creek WMA 3E, 5N of Minatare. Walk-in access SE of WMA and 2N 1E of Minatare, otherwise permission required. Map 3 Niobrara River: Sioux County, BNT, NOP, RBT. Private access, permission required. Extremely low water in summer. Public access on Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. Maps 1, 2 North Loup River: Cherry County, BNT, CAP, CCF, RBT. Private access, permission required. Maps 10, 16, 22, 23, 29 A Oliver Reservoir: Kimball County, 270 acres, 10W of Kimball. CAP, CCF, CRP, WAE. Primitive camping. All boats allowed. Accessible pier. Subject to low water. South Platte NRD area. Map 4 Pelican Lake: Cherry County, 798 acres, 16S, 6W, 8S of Valentine to Valentine National Wildlife Refuge H.Q. BLG, CRP, LMB, YEP. Bluegill - daily bag limit is five, of which only one can be 10 inches in length or longer. Possession of baitfish prohibited but dead smelt allowed. It is unlawful to possess fish not taken from refuge waters. No camping. Electric motor and non-powered boats allowed. Refuge open sunrise to sunset. Aquatic vegetation hampers summer fishing. Renovated in 2018. Map 15 Pine Creek: Sheridan County, 20S of Rushville. BNT. Private access, permission required. Maps 5, 6 Rat and Beaver WMA: Cherry County, 500 acres in two lakes, 30S, 7W of Valentine. BLG, CRP, LMB, RSF, YEP. Yellow perch - 12-inch minimum length limit. No live baitfish may be used or possessed. Primitive boat ramp. Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Map 16 Red Willow Creek: Morrill County, E of Bayard. BNT, RBT. Private access, permission required. Rice Lake: Cherry County, 47 acres, 23S 8W Valentine. BLG, LMB, PMK, YEP. Possession of baitfish prohibited but dead smelt allowed. It is unlawful to possess fish not taken from refuge waters. No camping. Electric motor and non-powered boats allowed. Refuge open sunrise to sunset. Aquatic vegetation hampers summer fishing. Parking by Duck Lake and access by foot traffic only. Map 15 Schlagel Creek WMA (Schlagel Creek): Cherry County, 16S, 4W, 4N of Valentine. BNT, RBT. Private access, permission required except on Schlagel Creek WMA. Stream on WMA generally too warm to support trout year-round. Map 15 Sheep Creek: Sioux County, NW of Morrill. BNT, RBT. Private access, permission required. Shell Lake WMA: Cherry County, 160 acres, 3N, 4E, 8N of Gordon. BLG, CCF, CRP, LMB, NOP, YEP. Aquatic vegetation hampers summer fishing. Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). Snowmobiles and ATVs allowed on ice. Map 9 Sidney Legion Park Pond: Cheyenne County, 1.75 acres, Owned by City of Sidney. BLG, CCF, LMB. Map 8 Silvernail Drain: Morrill County, E of Northport. BNT. Private access, permission required. Snake River (upper reach): Cherry County, near Gordon. BNT, RBT. Private access, permission required.

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