Outdoor Report
(3/25/2025) Docks are going in the water this week! The dock at Divers Bay went in today, Martin Bay low water will follow Wednesday with Lake Ogallala on Thursday.
• The best opportunities for catching fish at this point are likely to be pike and catfish toward the west end of the lake. The walleye spawn generally begins around the middle of April.
• Lake McConaughy is currently at 3,238.4 = 1,051,700ac-ft (60.3% capacity).
• The water is turned on in most areas of the lakes, except for Lone Eagle and Little Thunder campgrounds. Buildings generally open toward the end of April.
• Are you ready for turkey season? Turkey are being spotted in the lake area.
TURKEY SEASON DATES:
Spring archery: March 25 – May 31, 2025
Spring youth shotgun: April 5 – May 31, 2025
Spring shotgun: April 12 – May 31, 2025
TURKEY PERMITS:
Nonresident Spring Turkey permits sold out January 14th.
Nonresident Youth and Landowner spring turkey permits are available for purchase. Resident spring turkey permits are available now through May 31, 2025. Nebraska residents may purchase up to two spring permits.
Seasonal Fishing Overview : With over 55 square miles of water (at full pool) and over 70 miles of shoreline, Lake McConaughy is Nebraska’s largest reservoir and a popular year-round fishing and outdoor recreation destination. Current water level information may be found at cnppid.com/lake-river-data.
Spring: The walleye spawn at Lake McConaughy begins around the middle of April, and continues through the first part of May. From the middle of May to the Fourth of July, anglers target walleye and wipers using live bait or casting jigs to the shoreline.
Summer: Success with white bass, and small and large mouth bass can generally be found from May through the end of August casting jigs or lures to rocky points. Walleye and wipers are targeted through August trolling lures and spinner baits. Walleye and wipers are usually found off the face of Kingsley Dam or in bays off rocky points, although walleye are caught throughout the lake. Yellow perch can be caught all summer throughout the lake. Northern pike may sometimes be found at the west end of the lake casting lures and spinner baits. Rainbow trout, brown trout, and tiger trout can be caught in Lake Ogallala all summer, as well as in the river and supply canal. Anglers find success casting off boats or the shore as well as trolling.
Fall: From Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving, anglers slab for walleye and white bass on Lake McConaughy. Catfish can be caught year-round, especially at the west end of the lake.
Winter: Before the bays are iced in, success can still be found slabbing for walleye by Martin Bay or near Lemoyne. Catfish can be caught year-round, especially at the west end of the lake. Trout can be caught from open water on Lake Ogallala all winter. Anglers generally have success with fly-fishing small nymph patterns, as well as nightcrawlers and eggs on spinning tackle.
CAMPING:
Remember: reservations are needed in peak season between May 20 and September 10. To make a reservation, you can go online at https://outdoornebraska.gov/ and click reservations on the top right corner of the screen, use the RA Camping app, or call the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center at 308-284-8800.
Camping is first-come, first-served outside of peak season.
(photo credit: Sheri Rowland)
