OutdoorNebraska

NEBRASKAland ● May 2006 29 includes a 20 acre lake. The park is under development, with new facilities being added annually. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie Amenities: Wheelchair-accessible dock, paddleboat rentals, playground, splashground (water sprinklers where the kids can cool off), hike/bike trail connecting to 5-mile trail through Kearney, picnic shelters, observation tower, environmental resource center, restrooms, concession Directions: From Exit 272, go 1 mile north to 11th Street. Turn left and go 1.3 miles west to Kea West Avenue. Turn left and go 0.3 miles south to the park, on the left. Bufflehead WMA This 15-acre lake is good for largemouth bass. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, rock bass, yellow perch. Amenities: Concrete boat ramp Directions: From Exit 272, go 1 mile north to 11th Street. Turn right and go 3 miles east to Cherry Road. Turn right and go 1 mile south, then turn left. Follow the road east 0.5 miles to the WMA. Cottonmill Lake This popular, city-owned, 43-acre lake is open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily. A park permit is not required. A lake rehabilitation project completed in 1999 resulted in excellent water quality and good fishing for largemouth bass, bluegills, channel catfish and crappies. Boating is restricted to 5 mph. Canoes and paddleboats are rented on-site. Fish species: Crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, boat rentals, playground, pit toilets, walking trail, swimming beach, picnic shelters Directions: From Exit 272, go 1 mile north on Highway 44 to 11th Street. Turn left and go 2 miles west to 30th Avenue. Turn right and go 1 mile north to 24th Street. Turn left and go about 1.3 miles west to Cottonmill Avenue. Turn right and go 0.25 miles north to the park. Kea West WMA This WMA has an 8-acre lake. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, rock bass, yellow perch Amenities: Primitive boat ramp Directions: From Exit 272, go 1 mile north to 11th Street. Turn left and go 1.3 miles west to Kea West Avenue. Turn left again and go south, past Yanney Park, about 1 mile to the area, which is on the left. Kea Lake WMA This WMA adjacent to I-80 has a 20-acre lake. The Kearney Events Center, home to a local hockey team and many civic events, is located just south of the lake, and gas stations, restaurants and motels are located nearby. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish Amenities: Concrete boat ramp Directions: From Exit 272, go south a short distance on Highway 44 to the first right turn. Drive through the motel parking lot to get to the WMA parking area. Bassway Strip WMA Several small lakes are located within this 6-mile long WMA, with the best fishing at the 7-acre west lake. This lake has excellent water quality and is used by scuba divers. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, hunting allowed Directions: From Exit 279, go south a short distance on Highway 10 to the first left turn. Turn left and then immediately turn left again. Follow the dirt road north and then east 0.25 miles to the parking area. Windmill SRA There are six lakes in the park, totaling 23 acres, with ample shoreline access. Lake 1 is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter months. The lakes have plenty of bluegills, making the SRA a good choice for families with young children. For catfish, try Lake 4. Permits are available at the park office. Food, fuel and groceries are available nearby and 4 miles north in Gibbon. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, wiper (Lake 3) Amenities: Wheelchair-accessible fishing deck (Lake 2), modern camping with restrooms and showers, electrical hook-ups, RV dump station, swimming beach, picnic shelters, archery range All the lakes along I-80 offer plenty of bank fishing opportunity, but small boats can be used in most of them as well and can increase an angler's odds for success. JON FARRAR

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