The Northwest Fisheries District encompasses 16 counties with the largest land area but only
contains 5% of the population (91,110). The district has the highest number of public lakes at 178
containing over 32,752 surface acres of water. Much of this district encompasses the Sandhills
lakes region and contains most of the coldwater stream resources in the state.
NORTHWEST
DISTRICT
Northwest
Valentine Hatchery Pond
Minnechaduza
Creek
Crane Lake
(FWS)
Lake
Minatare
SRA
Box Butte
Reservoir
SRA/WMA
Lord Lake (USFS)
Merritt
Reservoir
SRA/WMA
Shell Lake WMA
Cottonwood
Lake SRA
Smith
Lake WMA
Ogallala
Grassland
Reservoirs
Agate, Boardgate,
Rock Bass
Willow
Lake
WMA
Dave's Lake
(Cottonwood-Steverson
Lake WMA)
Island Lake
(FWS)
Smith
Lake
(FWS)
(Plum Creek Valley WMA)
Sand Springs Pond
Ballards
Marsh WMA
Crazy
Big
Bordeaux
Creek
Wood
Reserve
Ponds
Soldier
Creek
Horse
Pond
Cozad
Lake
Keller
Park
SRA
Long
Pine
Creek
WMA/SRA
12
Big Bordeaux Creek is one of few public fishing
areas that contains more than 2 miles of cool-water
stream access. PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG
