OutdoorNebraska

Darr WMA This WMA includes a 13-acre lake that provides quality largemouth bass fishing. Fish species: Channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, rock bass Amenities: None, hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 231 at Darr, go north on Road 428 to the first left turn. Go 0.25 miles west on Road 756 (dirt road), then turn left and go 0.1 miles south to the WMA. Dogwood WMA This WMA has two lakes and access to the Platte River. The 8-acre east lake is larger and offers better fishing than the west lake. Fish species: Channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, rock bass Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 237 at Lexington, go north on Highway 283 a short distance to the first right turn, Heartland Road. Turn right and go 5.5 miles east on Heartland Road to County Road 439. Turn right and go 2.5 miles south, crossing an I-80 overpass to the lake. Johnson Lake SRA This 2,190-acre lake south of Lexington is a good place to camp, water ski and fish. Private homes around the lake limit shoreline access, but bank anglers and boat anglers can still find good fishing for walleye and white bass, and some big channel catfish. The inlet on the west side of the lake can be especially productive. Two wheelchair-accessible fishing piers are available there. Campers may register at the park office, where they can also purchase fishing and park entry permits. Fish species: Flathead catfish, channel catfish, crappie, walleye, sauger, white bass, wiper, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, carp Amenities: Concrete boat ramps, fish-cleaning stations, modern camping with electrical hookups and showers, modern restrooms, RV dump station, primitive camping, swimming beach, hike/bike trail, picnic shelters, pit toilets. Restaurants, marinas, bait shops, golf course, and motels nearby. Directions: From Exit 237 at Lexington, go 8 miles south on Highway 283. Central Platte River Valley I-80 parallels the Platte River through this farming region, with many small borrow pit lakes along the way. Hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes and millions of geese and ducks stop on the river on their northward migration in early spring, making it popular with bird watchers. Blue Hole WMA This WMA has a 37-acre lake fed by a Platte River channel, with many fish species including plenty of crappies. Fish species: Crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, sauger, carp Amenities: Boat ramp, hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 257 at Elm Creek, go south a short distance on Highway 183 to the first right turn. Sandy Channel SRA This SRA has six lakes, totaling 52 acres. The largest lake, with an improved concrete boat ramp, has excellent water clarity and is often used by scuba divers. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, rock bass, yellow perch, carp Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, primitive camping, pit toilets, hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 257 at Elm Creek, go 2 miles south on Highway 183 and look for the park entrance on your left. Union Pacific SRA The 15-acre lake has good shoreline access. Fish species: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, rock bass Amenities: Gravel boat ramp, modern restrooms and water fountains (closed in winter), pit toilets, primitive camping, picnic shelters, iron ranger self- registration entrance station Directions: From Exit 263 at Odessa, go north a short distance on Link 10B to the first right turn. Coot Shallows WMA This 12-acre lake was renovated in 2000. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie Amenities: Concrete boat ramp Directions: From Exit 263 at Odessa, go north on Link 10B (Odessa Road) about 0.7 miles, then turn left on 11th Road (dirt road) and go 1.8 miles west to Daykin Road. Turn left. The WMA is a short distance ahead on your right. East Odessa WMA This area has a 7-acre lake, but is difficult to get to when the dirt access road is wet. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish Amenities: Hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 263 at Odessa, NEBRASKAland ● May 2006 27 Plump, fine-eating bluegill can be caught from almost all the interstate lakes. ERIC FOWLER Central Platte River Valley

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