Reservoirs
Habitat: Open water, shallow fringes.
When to hunt: October-January.
Primary species encountered: Dabbling and diving
ducks, Canada geese.
Equipment needed: Boat to hunt from, access areas and
retrieve downed waterfowl is recommended. Longer decoy
cord may be necessary given deeper water.
Public hunting areas: All reservoirs are open to hunting,
but some may have a portion of them in refuge. Consult
regulations before hunting.
Comments: Reservoirs typically provide better waterfowl
hunting after more shallow habitats have frozen, but can
offer early season opportunity in the upper ends. Having a
boat with blind is probably the best way to hunt reservoirs
and provides more flexibility to areas where waterfowl may
be. With wind and icy conditions, hunting reservoirs may be
more hazardous than other habitats.
Waterfowl Hunting Nebraska • NEBRASKAland Magazine
Hunters watch for the first flight of Canada geese as the sun rises over the Platte River on a late season hunt near Wood River.
Left: Wes Gilbert fixes breakfast in the duck boat blind at
Sutherland Reservoir. Above: A drake ring-necked
duck swims across a private pond in Hall County.
PHOTO
BY
ERIC
FOWLER
PHOTO
BY
RICK
RASMUSSEN
