OutdoorNebraska

Loup River Drainage ★ The streams in the Loup River drainage flow through Nebraska's Sandhills. Most are remote, sand-bottomed streams ideal for fly anglers or those who prefer using spinning equipment. Permission is required before fishing these waters because they flow through private land. 1" = approximately 1.6 miles North Loup River 97 Trout are found in the stretch of the North Loup River highlighted in yellow. BOB GRIER CHERRY North Loup River Warren Sedivy fishes at the south fork of the Dismal River in the central Sandhills. North Loup River North Bran ch M Mid CHERRY iddle Loup Ri ve dle B ran ch M idd le Loup R r iver iver South Branch Middle Loup R Middle Loup 97 River Mullen 2 Trout found in the river stretches highlighted in yellow. 97 1" = approximately 5 miles Sou rk D th Fo v Fork Dis Ri North l isma mal River er Middle Loup River The Middle Loup River flows through Cherry and Hooker counties. It intersects Nebraska Highway 97 north of Mullen. Brown and rainbow trout. The Middle Loup flows through private property, and landowner permission is required to enter. The north, middle and south branches of the Middle Loup offer fishing downstream to Nebraska Highway 97, about 15 miles of river. Natural reproduction is limited. The river is stocked with 1,500 five-inch rainbows and 1,500 five-inch browns annually. Dismal and Middle Loup Rivers HOOKER The North Loup River supports trout in Cherry County, north of Mullen and west of Nebraska Highway 97. Brown and rainbow trout. The river flows through private land. Permission to enter is required. Of its approximately 20 miles of trout water, the best fishing on this stream is in the upper reaches, with a few trout found below Horseshoe Falls. Because the stream bed is mostly sand, trout habitat is limited. Occasionally, a fish of more than 4 pounds is taken. No natural reproduction has been documented and, because of the poor survival rate, stocking has been discontinued. Most of the access is by trail roads and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Dismal River (north and south forks) The Dismal River is located in Hooker County south of Mullen, west of Nebraska Highway 97. Brown and rainbow trout. The river flows through private property and permission to enter is required. The north fork has 12 miles of trout water, the south fork 10.5 miles. The best trout fishing is above the confluence of the forks. The streams cut deep, cedar-lined canyons where numerous springs add to the flow. Trout populations are maintained with annual stockings of 750 five-inch rainbows and 750 five-inch browns in each fork. Most fish are small, but a brown exceeding 4 pounds is occasionally taken there. NEBRASKAland Magazine ● Trout Fishing in Nebraska's Streams 17

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