OutdoorNebraska

30 | Fishing Info: 402-471-0641 PLAN FOR SUCCESS WITH FISHING FORECAST Explore Nebraska Game and Parks' 2026 Fishing Forecast to help plan your next fishing trip. This resource is available to download at OutdoorNebraska.gov or, starting in January, print copies can be found at retailers where fishing permits are sold. Increase your odds of fishing success by seeking the best water bodies for top-size sportfish in our 2026 Fishing Forecast. It provides a look at where some of the best fishing, and maybe some of the biggest fish, may be found in Nebraska based on 2025 lake sampling. Find additional planning tools, such as the fish stocking database, lake contour maps, and other fishing publications — or buy your annual fishing permit — at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search for "Fishing guides and reports." Public Fishing Areas The following section is a guide to public fishing waters in Nebraska. They are listed under Lakes and Reservoirs (by region), Coolwater streams, Warmwater streams, and the Missouri River. These are areas open to the public for fishing. Public areas include Nebraska Game and Parks Commission-owned or leased state recreation areas (SRA) and wildlife management areas (WMA), as well as federal, Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), power and irrigation, Natural Resources Districts (NRD), Nebraska Department of Transportation (DOT), city and leased private waters. PUBLIC ACCESS ATLAS AND OTHER INTERACTIVE MAPS The Nebraska Public Access Atlas provides information on publicly accessible land statewide. Most of the areas listed in this Public Fishing Areas section can be found in the Atlas. Map sheet numbers are displayed in each of the tables. Check out the Atlas at OutdoorNebraska.gov/ guides-maps/public-access-atlas/ and other access-related interactive maps at OutdoorNebraska.gov/fish/where-to-fish/ and OutdoorNebraska.gov/parks/go-boating/. FEATURES Family Friendly – Areas listed in the following table denoted with FF are designated as Family Friendly. These lakes are identified as being safe, comfortable and having great fish-catching potential. They also have a combination of barrier-free fishing piers, fishing trails, groomed park areas, concessions, playgrounds, picnic areas, and highly maintained fish populations. Accessible – Areas listed in the table denoted with A have some BBH Bullhead BCF Blue Catfish BKT Brook Trout BLG Bluegill BNT Brown Trout BUF Buffalo CAP Common Carp CCF Channel Catfish CPH Crappie Hybrid CRP Crappie CTB Cutbow Trout CUT Cutthroat Trout FCF Flathead Catfish FRD Freshwater Drum GOE Goldeye GRC Grass Carp GRP Grass Pickerel GSF Green Sunfish HSF Sunfish Hybrid LMB Largemouth Bass MUE Muskellunge NOP Northern Pike PAH Paddlefish PMK Pumpkinseed RBT Rainbow Trout ROB Rock Bass RSF Redear Sunfish SAE Saugeye SAR Sauger SBH Striped Bass Hybrid SMB Smallmouth Bass SNS Shovelnose Sturgeon SPB Spotted Bass STB Striped Bass TGM Tiger Muskellunge TGT Tiger Trout WAE Walleye WHB White Bass WHP White Perch YEB Yellow Bass YEP Yellow Perch ABBREVIATIONS OF FISH SPECIES This list contains abbreviations used for fish species denoted in the public fishing areas. accessibility. Those amenities are listed for each area. Underwater Spearfishing – Areas listed in the table denoted with SF allow underwater spearfishing. Refer to the Fishing Regulations column of the table for season dates and species allowed. Also refer to the Archery and Spearfishing section for more information. Cast Netting – Areas listed in the table denoted with CN allow cast netting for the collection of Gizzard Shad and Alewife during July, August, September and November. Live gizzard shad and alewife may only be used for bait the same day they were captured and only in the same body of water where they were collected. Refer to the Bait Regulations section for more details.

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