This is the Official Nebraska Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Nebraska state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Nebraska Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Nebraska state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the Nebraska fishing reg. books below and accessing the Nebraska fishing regs link in the Nebraska Guidebooks listed below.
Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and Nebraska regulations pertaining to the hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife sports.
Weather its Nebraska Trout fishing, Nebraska bass fishing, Nebraska striper fishing, Nebraska Salmon fishing, Nebraska Catfish fishing, Nebraska steelhead fishing, Nebraska Panfish fishing, Nebraska pike/muskie fishing, Nebraska Walleye fishing  We have the Nebraska state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Nebraska fishing maps, Nebraska state fishing maps, or just some Nebraska fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Nebraska Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Nebraska, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Reservoir, Elwood Reservoir, Enders Reservoir, Harlan County Lake, Harry Strunk Lake, Lake McConaughy, Lake Minatare, Lewis And Clark Lake, Maloney Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir, Sutherland Reservoir, Swanson Reservoir and others. Many of the lakes in Nebraska have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Nebraska is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Walleye fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Trout, Salmon, Catfish, Stripers, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Sauger, Saugeye, Longnose Gar, Bowfin, Paddlefish and sunfish including Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, Spotted Sunfish, White Bass, White Perch, Yellow Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Nebraska by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass Fishing in Nebraska.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Nebraska area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Nebraska

You can find bass in many places throughout Nebraska. Private ponds, rivers and creeks are often home to bass in NE. The most consistent stringers tend to come from major lakes including Box Butte Reservoir, Branched Oak Lake, Elwood Reservoir, Harlan County Lake, Lake McConaughy, Lake Minatare, Lewis And Clark Lake, Merritt Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir and Sutherland Reservoir.

The Nebraska state record largemouth was caught from a sand pit near Columbus and the NE state record smallmouth bass was pulled from the Missouri River.

Trout Fishing in Nebraska

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Nebraska

Lake McConaughy and Sutherland Reservoir are the two major bodies of water in NE with healthy populations of trout. Many rivers and smaller lakes may also contain trout. Some of the waters with stocked trout include Crystal Cove, Fremont Lake, Standing Bear Lake, Grove Lake, Weeping Water Pond, Auburn Lake, Holmes Lake, Qwest Lake, Benson Lake, Ta-Ha-Zouka Park Lake, Pawnee Park Lake, Such’s Lake, Ord City Lake, Windmill State Recreation Area Lake No. 1, Lexington City Park Lake, Holdrege City Park Lake, Arnold Lake and Birdwood Lake.

The Nebraska state record brook trout was taken from Pawnee Springs near North Platte, the NE state record brown trout came out of the Snake River, the Ogallala Lake gave up the state record cutthroat trout and is unknown where the state record rainbow trout was caught.

Salmon Fishing in Nebraska

Salmon Fishing Lakes In Nebraska

Lake McConaughy and Lewis And Clark Lake are the two major lakes in Nebraska with quality salmon fishing.

The Nebraska state record king (chinook) salmon was caught from Lewis & Clark Lake. Both the NE state record coho salmon and state record kokanee salmon was caught out of Lake McConaughy.

Walleye Fishing in Nebraska

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Nebraska

If you like to fish for walleye, Nebraska is a good place to live. There are healthy populations of walleye in many of the major lakes including Box Butte Reservoir, Branched Oak Lake, Calamus Reservoir, Elwood Reservoir, Enders Reservoir, Harlan County Lake, Harry Strunk Lake, Lake McConaughy, Lake Minatare, Lewis And Clark Lake, Maloney Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir, Sutherland Reservoir and Swanson Reservoir.

The Nebraska state record walleye was taken out of Lake McConaughy.

Nebraska walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Nebraska walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in Nebraska

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Nebraska

Crappie can be located in a high percentage of the fishing waters throughout NE. In addition to private ponds and some rivers and creeks, crappie can be found in most of the major Nebraska lakes including Box Butte Reservoir, Branched Oak Lake, Calamus Reservoir, Enders Reservoir, Harlan County Lake, Harry Strunk Lake, Lake Minatare, Lewis And Clark Lake, Maloney Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir and Swanson Reservoir.

The Nebraska state record black crappie was taken out of a farm pond and the state record white crappie was caught from Red Willow Reservoir.

Catfish Fishing in Nebraska

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Nebraska

Catfish inhabit most of the fishing waters in Nebraska. They are in many private ponds, most rivers and streams, and the vast majority of larger lakes including Box Butte Reservoir, Branched Oak Lake, Calamus Reservoir, Elwood Reservoir, Enders Reservoir, Harlan County Lake, Harry Strunk Lake, Lake McConaughy, Lake Minatare, Lewis And Clark Lake, Maloney Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir, Sutherland Reservoir and Swanson Reservoir.

The Nebraska state record blue catfish came out of the Missouri River near Wynot, Merritt Lake produced the NE state record channel catfish and Loup Power Canal near Genoa was home to the Nebraska state record flathead catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in Nebraska for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, Spotted Sunfish, White Bass, White Perch, Yellow Bass, Yellow Perch and Other NE Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Nebraska and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Nebraska

They are everywhere. And we mean everywhere. Find panfish in most private ponds, rivers and lakes including Box Butte Reservoir, Branched Oak Lake, Calamus Reservoir, Elwood Reservoir, Enders Reservoir, Harlan County Lake, Harry Strunk Lake, Lake McConaughy, Lake Minatare, Lewis And Clark Lake, Maloney Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir, Sutherland Reservoir and Swanson Reservoir.

The Nebraska state record bluegill was taken out of Grove Lake, the NE state record green sunfish, yellow perch and spotted sunfish were all taken from a sandpit, a private pond was home to the state record hybrid sunfish, the Nebraska state record pumpkinseed sunfish came from Box Butte Reservoir, the state record redear sunfish came from Rock Creek Lake and the NE stste record yellow perch was caught out of Hackberry Lake.

Fishing for other Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Sauger, Saugeye, Longnose Gar, Bowfin and Paddlefish in Nebraska.

Nebraska offers unique fishing opportunities.
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Sauger
Stizostedion canadense
World Record: 17.7 lbs.
Excellent eating fish which typically runs a bit smaller than its cousin the walleye. The sauger prefers cold and cloudy, moving water in the 60s to low 70s. They spawn in the low to mid 40s. You can tell them from a walleye by the dark spotting on the dorsal fin, darker coloring and the rough covering of the gill area. Due to their resembelance to pickerel, they are also known as gray pickerel spotfin pike, gray pike, river pike and others. When the water turns cold and other fish are hard to come by, this is the time to fish for sauger.Fish with jigs, spoons and crankbaits imitating crayfish or baitfish. Fish near the bottom and experiment with presentation action and speed.

Saugeye
A cross between sauger and walleye.
USA Record: 15.6 lbs.
This is a fast growing fish but does not get as big as the walleye. It successfully inhabits waters where the walleye has struggled. They prefers water temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees. Look for them near bottom on sandy bars and particularly along dropoffs and river channels. Use small crankbaits that resemble minnows, shad or small crappies. Fish is their primary food source.

Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
World Record: 25 lbs
The Longnose Gar can be found in lakes and rivers and prefers quiet backwaters with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Also referred to as gar and garfish, It has a long, sword-like mouth loaded with sharp teeth. They are nocturnal feeders and eat most smaller fish. They can be taken on live bait, fish-imitating lures and nylon string "gobs designed to entangle in their teeth. Most longnose gar are taken by bowfishing or spear fishing. The meat is somewhat tasty but quite bony.

Bowfin
Amia calva
World Record: 21.5 lbs.
Found in waters around Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, the bowfin prefers water temperatures of the warmer climates. It has an exceptionally long dorsal fin which extends back to the tail, made of about 50 spines or rays. Near the upper tail is an eye spot. They have very sharp teeth and a nasty disposition when hooked. Handle with caution. They are most often caught on cut bait and crayfish. They put up quite a fight and are not considered good eating. The bowfin is also known as dogfish, mud pike, mudfish, grindle, swamp bass and others.

Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
World Record: Over 600 lbs.
If you didn't know what they were, you might think you caught a shark if you were to land a paddlefish. They have a powerful, sleek body and a tall, rear dorsal fin.
Prefers water temperatures from 50 to 70 degrees. Also known as spoonbill, spoonies, spadefish and shovelnose. They are filter-feeders so catching them with conventional tackle is out of the question. Most are taken with bow and arrow, spears or by snag-fishing with large treble hooks.

Striper Fishing in Nebraska

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striper Fishing Lakes In Nebraska

You have five nice choices for striper fishing in NE. Harlan County Lake, Lake McConaughy, Maloney Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir and Sutherland Reservoir all contain schools of stripers.

The Nebraska state record striped bass was hauled out of Sutherland Reservoir.
Nebraska fishing regulations info page     Nebraska Fishing Regulations Guidebook     Nebraska Fishing Videos