Outdoor Report
OUTDOOR REPORT June 7, 2023
Terry McCormick Walleye Tournament June 10
Big Mac Shootout Tournament June 11
Big Mac Bow Hunters Club 3D shoot at Burma Road June 11
Youth Outdoor Nebraska Jr. Fishing Tournament June 17
Western Bass Tournament June 24-25
AVAILABLE BOAT RAMPS: Martin Bay Low Water (near the base of the dam) • Divers Bay/Burma Road • Lemoyne • Lake Ogallala (Both)
FISHING: 1 million fingerling walleye are being stocked in Lake Mac this week. Walleye are being caught at many locations around Lake McConaughy, from Lemoyne to Sand Point and the south side near Van’s and Ogallala Beach, generally in 7-15 ft depths. Anglers have been catching white bass near the mouth of Martin Bay and in the bay itself. Smallmouth bass are biting near rocky points and the face of Kingsley Dam. Catfish can be caught all around the lake, especially from dusk to the early morning hours. (Info courtesy of NGP Fisheries Division and local reports)
WATER: The current water temp is 65-67°F. Lake Mac’s elevation is 3233.9 feet or 955,700 acre-feet ( 54.8% capacity). Inflows this week are at 1,200 cubic feet per second (CFS). Outflows are 1,392 CFS. See https://www.cnppid.com/lake-river-data/ for daily updates.
CAMPING: A reminder that all public beach and campground camping requires a reservation through Sept. 10. You can go online at https://outdoornebraska.gov/ and click reservations on the top right corner of the screen, use the RA Camping App or call the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center at 308-284-8800. Reservations for beach camping may be made 30 days in advance; reservations for modern campgrounds with electricity can be made 180 days in advance.
Like most reservoirs in our multi-state region, Lake Mac has been affected by ongoing drought. The good news is that the lake was so large to start with. Even at 54.8% capacity, it still has 955,700 acre-feet of water, more than any other lake in Nebraska, Colorado or Kansas.
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.
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. 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.
LAKE INFO:
PLEASE BRING PFDs for the whole family and make sure everyone wears them. Life jackets save lives! PFDs are available for check-out free of charge at the visitor center. 🌤🔥 Please keep an eye on changeable weather and ATTEND YOUR CAMPFIRES as wildfire danger is elevated. Anyone may sign up for local WEATHER ALERTS with CodeRED, a FREE emergency notification service:
https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF7D2D0CF0FDFAQS:
• NEBRASKA STATE PARK ENTRY PERMITS are required for all vehicles. These are needed in addition to camping reservations. Save time by buying vehicle and fishing permits online in advance at 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.
• NO GLASS on the beach. PACK OUT everything you bring with you and leave only your footprints, please. Recycling locations: Lake McConaughy Visitor Center, Lemoyne Senior Center, Van’s Lakeview, Martin Bay, Sandy Beach, Lake Ogallala, Lone Eagle Campground, Little Thunder Campground, Eagle Canyon Campground.
Keith County Visitors Center
119 East 2nd
Ogallala, NE 69153
800-658-4390
