Outdoor Report
(Sept. 8, 2026)
𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧
OUTDOOR REPORT: Catfish remain a reliable catch this month. Although the bite has slowed, the fish that are being caught are good sized, including drum, walleye, yellow perch and carp. Trout can also be caught in the Lake Ogallala system.
Water temperature is 76-78°F.
BEACH CLEAN-UP: Nebraska Game and Parks is working on picking up trash and trees from the storm over Labor Day Weekend. If anyone would like to assist, it would be greatly appreciated. Trash bags are available at the Visitors Center. So far, NGP hauled off 12 dump trailers of trash from the beach and 8 dump trailers of tree branches.
BOATING: Private boat launch services at Lake McConaughy will provide the best access to the lake going forward, according to NE Game & Parks. Water levels remain historically low after years of drought.
Today (Sept. 
is the last launch day of the season for Van’s Lakeview (308-287-8267). Big Mac Marina (308-355-5555) will continue through Sept. 13, and Ski Patrol (308-726-7368) will continue through Sept. 17, but please call ahead with any questions. Both boat ramps at Lake Ogallala are in service.
Those launching from the beach on their own do so at their own risk, as decreasing water levels are exposing soft lake beds, shallow areas or unsafe drop-offs.
CAMPING: Reservation season ends Sept. 10. After this date, campers may pay for camping at the Visitor Center or the self-pay stations.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Oct. 3: Dam Paddle-Formerly Kayak Big Mac by Ogallala Rotary Club
Oct. 10-12: Living History Rendezvous at Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Oct. 18: Mentored Youth Waterfowl Hunt at Clear Creek WMA. Youths ages 11-15 are welcome to attend free of charge. To register, please call Tamara (Ash Hollow SHP) at 308-778-7708 or email tamara.cooper@nebraska.gov.
Water level at Lake Mac is currently at 3,201.3 ft. or 389,200 acre-feet. Inflows = 869 CFS/Outflows 1087 CFS.
REMINDERS:
Campfires are allowed but must be contained in a fire pit.
Alcohol is not allowed at Lake McConaughy or Lake Ogallala.
ATV/UTVs are not allowed in the SRA unless a disabled permit is issued from the Nebraska Game and Parks headquarters in Lincoln.
OUTDOOR REPORT: Catfish remain a reliable catch this month. Although the bite has slowed, the fish that are being caught are good sized, including drum, walleye, yellow perch and carp. Trout can also be caught in the Lake Ogallala system.
Water temperature is 76-78°F.
: thanks to Amy Kilcoyne for sharing!
BEACH CLEAN-UP: Nebraska Game and Parks is working on picking up trash and trees from the storm over Labor Day Weekend. If anyone would like to assist, it would be greatly appreciated. Trash bags are available at the Visitors Center. So far, NGP hauled off 12 dump trailers of trash from the beach and 8 dump trailers of tree branches.
BOATING: Private boat launch services at Lake McConaughy will provide the best access to the lake going forward, according to NE Game & Parks. Water levels remain historically low after years of drought.
Today (Sept. is the last launch day of the season for Van’s Lakeview (308-287-8267). Big Mac Marina (308-355-5555) will continue through Sept. 13, and Ski Patrol (308-726-7368) will continue through Sept. 17, but please call ahead with any questions. Both boat ramps at Lake Ogallala are in service.
Those launching from the beach on their own do so at their own risk, as decreasing water levels are exposing soft lake beds, shallow areas or unsafe drop-offs.
CAMPING: Reservation season ends Sept. 10. After this date, campers may pay for camping at the Visitor Center or the self-pay stations.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Oct. 3: Dam Paddle-Formerly Kayak Big Mac by Ogallala Rotary Club
Oct. 10-12: Living History Rendezvous at Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Oct. 18: Mentored Youth Waterfowl Hunt at Clear Creek WMA. Youths ages 11-15 are welcome to attend free of charge. To register, please call Tamara (Ash Hollow SHP) at 308-778-7708 or email tamara.cooper@nebraska.gov.
Water level at Lake Mac is currently at 3,201.3 ft. or 389,200 acre-feet. Inflows = 869 CFS/Outflows 1087 CFS.
REMINDERS:
ATV/UTVs are not allowed in the SRA unless a disabled permit is issued from the Nebraska Game and Parks headquarters in Lincoln.
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.
📋: See a list of lake FAQs here.
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...
