OutdoorNebraska

Fishing the Sandhills • NEBRASKAland Magazine Swan Lake 235 Acres. Holt County, 26S, ½W of Atkinson. Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch. A renovation in 2006 removed the carp from this private lake leased for fishing, and it has historically been a good bass and panfish lake. Biologists suspect a winterkill in 2014-15 is the reason behind reduced numbers of fish and have been restocking perch, bluegills and bass to help the populations recover. While it does have significant algae blooms in the summer, its depths of 10 to 12 feet keep areas free of submersed vegetation throughout the summer. A four-wheel-drive is recommended for the primitive boat ramp located on the lake's north shore. All other access by permission only. Goose Lake WMA 237 Acres. Holt County, 18N, 5E of Bartlett. Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch. While it was one of the first lakes purchased by the predecessor of the Game and Parks Commission, Goose Lake didn't shine as a fishery until renovations removed carp in 1990 and again in 2003. The troublesome carp have once again found their way back into the lake, and fish populations and angler success have declined enough in recent years that another renovation is planned, possibly as soon as 2016. Until that happens, anglers can still find a few northern pike and panfish. After it does, fishing is expected to be excellent once again. The south arm of the lake is shallower than the main lake. An island and several points expand the amount of shoreline vegetation anglers can ply for pike and bass. The lake doesn't suffer from low water problems like other Sandhills lakes thanks to a well that can be used to maintain water levels when needed. Northern pike between 28 and 34 inches in length must be released, a protected slot limit designed to keep pike in this heavily-fished lake. Abundant vegetation makes the lake nearly impossible to fish in the summer. In 2015, another aquatic plant, Eurasian watermilfoil, found its way into the lake, making it even worse. The non-native invasive plant, which spreads rapidly, forms dense mats, hampers fishing and can grow from a small fragment of stem or leaf. To prevent its spread to other waters via boats and trailers, which is likely how it arrived, the lake was closed to the public in the fall of 2015. Biologists plan to use chemicals to control Eurasian watermilfoil in 2016, but the effectiveness of the effort will determine when the lake reopens to summer fishing. (It did open to ice fishing in 2015-16). Concrete and primitive boat ramps, primitive campground. Snowmobiles and ATVs allowed on ice. Jake Perkins of Alliance shows off one of the big bluegills he caught at Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area south of Rushville. S 235 ● 18 G 237 ● 19 PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG

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