Outdoor Report
(Aug 11, 2026)
𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧
Water temperature is about 78°F.
Anglers hoping to land a Lake Mac wiper are trolling lures and spinner baits. Walleye are still are being caught, often on crankbaits in 20-25 foot of water. "Follow the birds" remains the best strategy for targeting white bass near schools of bait fish. Small mouth bass are being caught on the dam. Catfish are being caught regularly around the whole lake. Trout are being caught in the river and canal below Lake Ogallala as well as the little lake itself.
𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦
𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗰 tractor 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲d for all boat launching. 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: 𝗩𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄, 𝟯𝟬𝟴-𝟮𝟴𝟳-𝟴𝟮𝟲𝟳; 𝗦𝗸𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹, 𝟯𝟬𝟴-𝟳𝟮𝟲-𝟳𝟯𝟲𝟴; 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮, 𝟯𝟬𝟴-𝟯𝟱𝟱-𝟱𝟱𝟱𝟱.
(The dock at 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄 water ramp has been removed for the season following the 8/14 storm.)
𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮 (𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵)
LAKE EVENTS:
Hobie Fleet 61 August 21-23
Nebraska Game and Parks would like to remind everyone that campfires are allowed but must be in a fire pit.
Alcohol is not allowed at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala.
Boats and jet skis are advised to avoid traveling west of Van's Lakeview.
Water level: 3205 Elevation
445,300 acre feet
Inflow this week: 100 cubic feet per second
Outflow this week: 2500 cubic feet per second.
For daily updates visit https://cnppid.com/lake-river-data
RESERVATION INFO:
Make reservations 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.
As of Aug 11, 2026, Lake Mcconaughy was 21.03 % booked - meaning there are 45 basic, 75 electric, and 877 primitive sites available. Lake Ogallala was 32% booked, meaning there are 92 Basic sites and 28 Electric sites available.
(Thanks to Patrick Schnell of NGP for outdoor report info!)
📋: See a complete list of lake FAQs here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GH8eU62io/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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.
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.
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.
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 at the Lake Mac Visitors Center, Van's LakeView, Martin Bay, Sandy Beach, Lake Ogallala and Lone Eagle Campground.
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...
