Outdoor Report
(July 7, 2026)
There's more than one way to catch a fish at Lake Mac! 
: thanks to James Thompson for sharing
OUTDOOR REPORT
Water temperature is up to about 72°F now.
Walleye are being caught in 14-20 foot of water near Lemoyne to Sandpoint, with live bait. Small mouth bass can be caught on the dam and rocky points. Wiper can be caught on the face of the dam at night. Catfish are being caught regularly around the whole lake. Trout are being caught in the channel and river below Lake Ogallala.
DOCKS:
Martin Bay low water (near the base of the dam)
Divers Bay/Burma Road
Lake Ogallala (Both)
LAKE EVENTS:
Hobie Fleet 61 July 11-13
Keystone Lemoyne Sand VB Tournament July 18
Kites and Castles July 25
Current elevation is 3215.9 ft or 614,200 acre feet
Inflows this week to Lake McConaughy are 200 CFS (cubic feet per second). Outflows are 2600 CFS.
Nebraska Game and Parks would like to remind everyone that campfires are allowed but must be in a fire pit.
Boats and jet skis are advised to avoid traveling west of Sand Point. Keystone-Lemoyne Fire & Rescue officials say there is a danger of vessels getting stuck in the sand/mud at the west end of the lake in the river area due to low water levels.
RESERVATION INFO:
As of July 7th 2026, Lake McConaughy is 43.4 % booked - there are 27 basic, 14 eleectric, and 674 Primitive site available. Lake Ogallala is 63.5% booked - there are 65 Basic sites available.
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.
(Thanks to Patrick Schnell of NGP for outdoor report info!)
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...
