Outdoor Report
DOCKS: All 4 docks at Lake McConaughy remain pulled (5/15) due to very windy conditions and forecast. A reminder to everyone to continue to keep an eye on the weather.
When winds are forecasted to gust to 30-40 mph, causing dangerous water conditions, docks may be pulled. The fire ban remains in effect in western and central Nebraska.
Walleye continue to be caught in 15-25 feet of water with lures and bait. Anglers report catching many that are larger in size. One walleye 22 inches or longer may be kept in the daily bag.
Smallmouth bass are being caught on rocky points and the near the face of the dam. Catfish are being caught from Sand Point to the mouth of the river. Water temperature (prior to Wednesday night’s storm) was recorded at 52F.
All shower houses at the Lake Mac and Lake Ogallala SRAs are now open. (Including Martin Bay, Lone Eagle, Little Thunder, Cedar View, Arthur Bay and Lake Ogallala.) The water is on in all campgrounds, and all fish cleaning stations are open.
Reservations are required for camping at the lake beginning May 20. Reservations may be made at CampLakeMac.com, on the RA Camping App or by calling the Game and Parks office at (308) 284-8800.
The lake elevation is currently at 3,238.7 ft or 1,058,300ac-ft (60.7% capacity). Total outflows are 2,206 cubic feet per second (CFS) this week, with inflows at 328 CFS.
Please note that Western and Central Nebraska remains under a FIRE BAN through May 20, due to extremely dry conditions. No open fires or fire pits are permitted, including campfires and beach fires at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala. (According to NGP, propane fueled camp stoves and pits are still permitted.)
A reminder Saturday, May 17 is Free Park Entry Day in Nebraska. Visitors can enter any state park without a park entry permit. Fishing will also be free on this day, but all other fishing regulations still apply.
Other upcoming events include:
May 31-June 1: Shut Up & Fish Tournament (Vogl's Lodge & Lure - Lake McConaughy)
June 14: Junior Fishing Tournament (Youth Outdoors Nebraska)
Thanks to Nebraska Game and Parks for their help with the outdoor report!
2525 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.
(photo credit: Sheri Rowland)
