OutdoorNebraska

Hershey, go south about 1 mile to West Antelope Road. Turn left and go 5 miles east to South Crane View Road. Turn left and go about 0.5 miles north, crossing over the I-80 overpass. Turn right on West South River Road and follow it a short distance to the lake. Western Platte River Valley Just east of North Platte, the South and North Platte rivers join to form the Platte. Dozens of borrow pit lakes lie along Interstate 80, which follows the Platte River through this region rich with farmland. Many of these I-80 lakes are open to public fishing. North Platte I-80 Lake The North Platte I-80 Lake, also known as Iron Horse Park, is a city- owned and operated park with a 26-acre lake offering good crappie fishing. A walking trail around the lake, easy shoreline access and a fishing pier provide plenty of space to stretch your legs and find where the fish are biting. There are plenty of food and lodging choices at this exit. Fish species: Crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, wiper, bluegill Amenities: Gravel boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic tables, walking trail Directions: From Exit 177 at North Platte, go south on Highway 83 to the first traffic signal at Eugene Drive. Turn left, and then left again to enter the park. Nearby attraction: Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park is located at the northwest edge of North Platte. This site, open seasonally to the public, preserves the home of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody that was built in 1886. Park permits are available at the park office. There is a modern campground at the adjacent Buffalo Bill SRA. Birdwood WMA The 20-acre lake is a good spot to catch largemouth bass and bluegill. Rainbow trout are stocked during the winter. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, rock bass, yellow perch, channel catfish, rainbow trout (winter) Amenities: Boat ramp Directions: From Exit 177 at North Platte, go south on Highway 83 to the second traffic signal at Walker Road. Turn right and go 3.5 miles west, then turn right on Homestead Road. Cross over the I-80 overpass to the lake, which will be on your left. Fremont Slough WMA While adjacent to I-80 and readily visible, this 30-acre lake is hard to find without directions. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, carp Amenities: None Directions: From Exit 177 at North Platte, go south on Highway 83 about 1.5 miles to State Farm Road. Turn left and go 4 miles east until the paved road makes a sharp 90-degree right turn. Turn left onto Shack Road. This is a dirt road. Drive over a canal bridge, then under I-80. Turn right and go 0.3 miles to the WMA. Lake Maloney SRA At 1,600 acres, Lake Maloney is the largest lake in the North Platte area. Private residences line most of the lake, but there is plenty of public access for anglers, including a wheelchair- accessible fishing pier at the lake inlet near the west end of the dam. Fish species: Channel catfish, flathead catfish, crappie, bluegill, walleye, white bass, wipers, smallmouth bass, carp, freshwater drum Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, fish- cleaning stations, marina, modern camping with electrical hook-ups and showers, RV dump station, primitive camping, pit toilets, swimming beach, iron ranger self-registration entrance station Directions: From Exit 177 in North Platte, go south 6 miles on Highway 83, then turn west on South Maloney Drive to the SRA. Ft. McPherson WMA This WMA has a 30-acre lake. Fish species: Smallmouth bass, rock bass Amenities: Boat ramp Directions: From Exit 190, go south on Link 56A and take the first left turn to enter the WMA. Crystal Lake This is a small, out-of-the-way 7-acre lake. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish Amenities: None Directions: From Exit 190 at Maxwell, go north on Spur 56A about 0.5 miles to West Island Road. Turn left, and follow the road, which runs parallel to I-80, about 6 miles west. Turn left on Novacek Road and cross the I-80 overpass to the lake. West Maxwell WMA This 7-acre pond is a good spot to catch bluegill. NEBRASKAland ● May 2006 25 Fish the underwater structure and you might catch a hard-fighting largemouth bass such as this one. KEN BOUC Western Platte River Valley

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