OutdoorNebraska

Fishing the Sandhills • NEBRASKAland Magazine Big Alkali WMA 842 Acres. Cherry County, 16S, 4W, 1½S of Valentine. Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Saugeye, Walleye, Yellow Perch. Big Alkali Lake has an excellent channel catfish population, and has a few big crappies, walleyes and northern pike. The Commission stocked saugeye in the lake in 2015, hoping to provide yet another predator to help control carp and to provide additional angling opportunities. Primitive campsites are strung along a portion of the north shore of the lake, but for decades anglers and hunters have also been enjoying the rustic cabins at Big Alkali Fish Camp. The resort also offers an RV campground, showers, fish cleaning station, a small store and a battery charging service. The cabins and other facilities were renovated in 2006 by the Commission, which leases the site to an operator. A concrete boat ramp is protected from south winds by a breakwater. Pit toilet. Snowmobiles and ATVs allowed on ice. Hudson Lake 160 Acres. Cherry County, 15S, 8W, 1N of Valentine. Bluegill, Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch. This private lake is open to the public for daytime ice fishing from December 1 - February 29 only. Rat and Beaver WMA 450 Acres. Cherry County, 30S, 7W of Valentine. Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Yellow Perch. Rat and Beaver lakes were renovated in 2014 and with T he distance between the home of many Nebraska anglers and the nearest Sandhills lake often begs for a multi-day trip. Due to the remoteness of most of these lakes, however, there are often few, if any, amenities available, including those for anglers willing to camp. Camping is allowed on all Nebraska Game and Parks Commission state recreation areas and wildlife management areas. SRAs are typically more developed, with picnic tables, water hydrants, pit toilets and mowed campsites. A few WMAs offer some or all of those same amenities, and are mowed periodically to make them more tent-friendly, and even include a fire ring or two and some picnic tables. At most WMAs, however, you will simply pitch your tent next to the parking lot, or park your camper in it, and fend for yourself. This is what you can expect if you're visiting one of the lakes in the accompanying list that offers "Primitive Camping," so plan on bringing everything you need, including water for drinking and dishes. Areas with more amenities include Ballard's Marsh, Big Alkali Lake, Frye Lake, Goose Lake, Shell Lake, Smith Lake and Willow Lake WMAs and Cottonwood Lake and Walgren Lake SRAs. Big Alkali Fish Camp is the only resort on the banks of a Sandhills lake offering a campground with RV hookups. It also offers primitive cabins and showers, or campers can rough it in a few primitive sites along the lakeshore adjacent to the resort. While these areas may offer a few campsites with picnic tables, someone may beat you to them if the bite is on, so it's still a good idea to pack heavy. Big Alkali also offers something you won't find at any other lakes in the Sandhills: a place to charge your deep-cycle trolling motor battery. Anglers should bring a spare battery or two for a weekend trip. Open campfires are allowed only where the Commission has provided fire rings. Apart from that, fires must be contained in stoves, grills or fireplaces. Camping isn't allowed on either of the National Wildlife Refuges, however, or on any of the private lakes on this list that are open to public fishing. Those who don't like roughing it do have other options. Cabins are available near several Sandhills lakes, and a town with a motel is typically within 30 miles. Camping and Other Amenities H 160 ● 27 R ● 28 PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER B ● 26 The primitive campground at Big Alkali Lake near Valentine.

• Cover