32 | Fishing Info: 402-471-0641
Additional Information
ATVs AND SNOWMOBILES FOR ICE-FISHING
Snowmobiles, all-terrain and motorized off-highway amphibious vehicles may be operated on the frozen surface
of designated lakes listed below, unless posted as closed. All Game and Parks wildlife management areas are
open to ATVs and snowmobiles on the ice, unless posted otherwise. It is unlawful for any person to operate a
motorized vehicle on anything other than roadways, parking areas or trails specifically designated for vehicle use.
Therefore, WMAs that don't have direct access (boat ramp, parking lot, adjacent roadways, etc.) to the frozen ice
surface would not allow these vehicles. These vehicles may be operated only from one-half hour before sunrise
until 9 p.m., or as posted. Recommended ice thickness for vehicle use is 8 inches. The designated lakes are,
unless posted as closed:
Bluestem
Box Butte
Branched Oak
Calamus
Conestoga
Enders
Fremont lakes
Gallagher Canyon
Harlan County
Johnson
Lewis and Clark
Louisville lakes
Maloney
McConaughy
Medicine Creek
Merritt
Minatare
Ogallala
Olive Creek
Oliver
Pawnee
Red Willow
Rockford
Sherman
Stagecoach
Sutherland
Summit
Swanson
Wagon Train
Walgren
Willow Creek
FREE FISHING AND PARK ENTRY DAY
Free Fishing and Park Entry Day is held annually in Nebraska. It is a chance for people who no longer fish or never
have fished to fish for a day without purchasing a permit. Also on that day, no permit is needed to enter a state
park area. Go to OutdoorNebraska.org for more information.
COMMUNITY FISHING EVENTS
The Nebraska Game and Parks Youth Fishing Program sponsors Community Fishing Events at community and
recreation area lakes across the state. This is an opportunity for people who have never fished, or have not
fished in years, to learn or refresh their skills. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/FamilyFishing for dates and locations of
Community Fishing Events.
FISH KILL REPORTS
To make it easier to determine the cause, promptly report dead or dying fish to a conservation officer (page 94),
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission district office (page 6), the Nebraska Department of Environment and
Energy at 402-471-2186, or the 24-hour Nebraska State Patrol pollution complaint number at 402-479-4921.
POLLUTION
Keep the water safe and clean for future fishing. Report dumping or pollution activities to the Nebraska
Department of Environment and Energy (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 402-471-2186, the 24-hour
Nebraska State Patrol pollution complaint number at 402-479-4921, or the Environmental Protection Agency 24
hours a day at 913-281-0991.
RESOURCES FOR LAKE MAPPING AND WATER LEVELS
Lake contour maps are available at OutdoorNebraska.org. For lake levels and stream flows, visit:
CNPPID: cnppid.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lakeRiverData.html
Nebraska Public Power District: nppd.com/about-us/power-plants-facilities/hydroelectric/water-data/
U.S. Geological Survey: waterdata.usgs.gov/ne/nwis/rt
Bureau of Reclamation: usbr.gov/gp/lakes_reservoirs/nebraska_lakes.html
Farwell Irrigation District: farwellid.org/sherman%20reservoir.html
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: rivergages.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/new/layout.cfm
nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/current.html
