Outdoor Report

April 28, 2019

The walleye spawn is wrapping up, as fewer fish are being caught along the dam, but activity is picking up along the north shore. Catfish are being caught at the mouth of the river, and along the North Platte River. Trout success is fair in the little lake, as well as in the Lake Ogallala tail waters.

Surface water temperatures vary from 48 to 54°.

Lake McConaughy’s elevation is  3,257.3 feet or 87.1 % of capacity. That’s 1.8 feet above last year’s level at this time of 3,255.5. Inflow into Lake McConaughy is 1,189 cfs with outflow of 1,722 cfs.

We have not seen an official prediction, but summer water levels may get close to full pool prior to irrigation season.  You can view water level data any time at this link: http://www.cnppid.com/news-info/reservoirriver-data/

(Lemoyne)

Seasonal Fishing Overview

With 35,700 surface acres and over 100 miles of shoreline, Lake McConaughy is Nebraska’s largest reservoir and a popular year-round fishing and outdoor recreation destination.

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.

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 using worms and wax worms.  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.