Outdoor Report
May 5 2026
OUTDOOR REPORT
(thanks to Patrick Schnell of NE Game and Parks)
Walleye are being caught near Little Thunder campground to Arthur Bay on the north side of the lake. A good white bass and wiper bite is happening near shore on both sides of the lake depending on wind direction. There is also a good bite on the west end of the lake for catfish.
DOCKS:
Lake Ogallala (Both)
Martin Bay low water (near the base of the dam)
Divers bay/Burma Road
Water temperature is currently in the mid 40’s.
Elevation is 3229.7 ft, 49.9% capacity, or 870,000 acre feet (An acre foot is one acre with a foot of water on it, this translates to about one football field with a foot of water on it.)
Inflows and Outflows this week:
Inflow to Lake McConaughy = 230 cubic feet per second.
Outflow from Lake McConaughy = 630 cubic feet per second.
For a daily update visit https://www.cnppid.com/lake-river-data/
EVENTS:
May 30: Nebraska Bass Nation Tournament
May 31: Flippin Bass Club Tournament
RESERVATION INFO:
Reservations season starts May 20, so remember to go online at https://outdoornebraska.gov/ and click reservations on the top right corner of the screen, or call the Reservations hot line at 1-844-637-2757 from 8-5 Monday to Friday and 8-4 Saturday and Sunday.
Reservations for beach camping may be made 30 days in advance and reservations for modern camp grounds with electricity can be made 180 days in advance.
Want help KEEP KEITH COUNTY BEAUTIFUL? If you would like to assist in picking up trash at the lake, Nebraska Game and Parks will gladly provide a trash bag. Just ask at the Visitors Center.
Enjoy the lake from now until May 20 with no reservations required. Just remember to pay for your park pass and overnight camping at the Visitor Center or at the self-pay station on your way in.
📸: Thanks to Andrew Richtig for sharing!
Check our calendar for local events.
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. Smallmouth bass are targeted off the rocky points. 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.
PARK FAQS:
CALL 911 for emergencies. For non-emergency law enforcement issues, please contact Nebraska State Patrol Dispatch at 308-535-8047.
WEATHER can change very quickly so be sure to check the forecast AND monitor changing conditions. As always, if you see those dark clouds gathering, particularly in the west, GET OFF THE LAKE. Anyone may sign up for local weather alerts with Regroup, a FREE emergency notification service: https://embeds.regroupcloud.com/.../keithcou.../signup_embed.
Martin Bay and Arthur Bay are no-wake bays year round.
To avoid lines in peak season, please make sure to purchase your fishing and park entry permits ahead of time online or via a local permit vendor. Non-Nebraska registered motorized boats are required to have an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) sticker, which can be purchased in advance as well. https://OutdoorNebraska.gov.
The possession and consumption of ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala State Recreation Areas.
ATVs and UTVs are prohibited at the recreation areas.
ALL PETS must be on a 6-foot leash at all times.
BE AWARE that you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle in order to drive on the beach. Roads are not improved once you get off Shoreline Road.
BRING PFDs for the whole family and make sure everyone wears them. LIFE JACKETS SAVE LIVES!
PACK OUT everything you bring with you and leave only your footprints, please. Recycling drop off receptacles are located around the lake.
Check out all hunting season dates here: https://outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/hunting-seasons. See the Public Hunting Atlas and Stubble Access Guide for public hunting ground info:
https://outdoornebraska.gov/guides-maps/public-access-atlas
http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/.../1539981-2025-26...
