OutdoorNebraska

Chappell Interstate Lake When I-80 was built, Lodgepole Creek was redirected through a new channel to avoid flooding problems. This left the old channel cut off, creating an oxbow lake that was made even larger when additional material was excavated later to be used for interstate construction. The result was a 30-acre lake with clear water. Picnic supplies and other necessities are available less than a mile north in Chappell, which owns and operates this park. Fish species: Bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, walleye, yellow perch Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, restrooms (closed in winter), picnic shelters Directions: From Exit 85, go north a short distance and take the first right to enter the park. Goldeneye WMA This small WMA alongside I-80 has a 17-acre pond. Fish species: Crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch Amenities: Rock boat ramp, hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 107 at Big Springs, go south 1 mile, then turn right and go 3 miles west on Road 6. Turn right on Road 203 and go north, crossing over I-80. The lake will be immediately on your right. Lake Ogallala and Lake McConaughy SRAs At 30,000 acres when full, Lake McConaughy is the largest lake in the state. Located below the dam is 650-acre Lake Ogallala. Together the lakes offer some of the best fishing in Nebraska. Lake Mac is well known for its walleye and also offers exciting fishing for white bass, wipers, smallmouth bass and other species. Lake Ogallala is a tailwater fishery, receiving coldwater from Lake McConaughy that allows it to support trout, many of them trophy-size, year- round. Trout are also caught downstream from Lake Ogallala in the Sutherland Supply Canal. The lakes are extremely popular with anglers, boaters, campers, sunbathers and other recreation-minded people. Weekend use during summer months is very high. Winter visitors can enjoy some exceptional bird watching for waterfowl, gulls and bald eagles. A bald eagle viewing center is located at Lake Ogallala. Accommodations are available at both public and private establishments around the lake. Hotels, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores can be found in Ogallala. Highway 61 runs atop Kingsley Dam, providing a great view of both lakes. The Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretive Center is located along Highway 61 about a mile south of the dam. Here you can learn about the history of the lakes and water usage in Nebraska, get lake maps, purchase necessary permits and borrow fishing tackle. Fish species (McConaughy): Walleye, wiper, white bass, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead Fish species (Ogallala): Rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, white bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, carp Amenities: Concrete boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, modern and primitive camping, restrooms, showers, RV dump stations, concessions, picnic shelters, hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 126, go north on Highway 61 through Ogallala, following the Lake McConaughy road signs through town. Continue north on Highway 61 for about 9 miles to Lake McConaughy. Continue on Highway 61 across the dam and turn right, following directional signs, to get to Lake Ogallala SRA. Nearby attraction: Ash Hollow State Historical Park (SHP), located west of NEBRASKAland ● May 2006 23 BOB GRIER Young anglers fish from a dock at Oliver Reservoir SRA near Kimball. North Platte Ogallala Lake McConaughy SRA Lake Ogallala SRA Sutherland Reservoir SRA Hershey WMA East Hershey WMA East Sutherland WMA ● ● ● ALL MAPS BY JOHN MILLER, GEODETIC SURVEY TECHNICIAN

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