Outdoor Report
Friday Report from Nebraska Game and Parks July 23, 2021:
Water levels are at 3242.9 feet (66.1% capacity) and reports of the water temperature range from 72-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature range today is a high of 98 °F with a low of 68° later tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms tonight (Friday), and chance of thunderstorms during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
There is currently still beach camping available for this weekend. You can make reservations at:
If we become fully booked for Lake McConaughy SRA this weekend, you can also check the private campgrounds around the lake for availability by going to:
Day use is not limited, however all vehicles entering any Nebraska State Park must have either a day permit or annual permit (affixed to the window on the driver’s side of the vehicle). For more information, please visit:
Docks Available:
– Spillway (front)
– Divers
– Martin Bay
– Lemoyne (back)
– Cedar View (both Lakeside and Bayside)
– Lake Ogallala (both North and South)
Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District reports the water temperature taken from a one-meter depth at the dam is 72°.
For more information about the recent white bass die-off at Lake McConaughy, please see: http://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2021/07/cause-of-lake-mcconaughy-white-bass-die-off-still-inconclusive/
Seasonal Overview : With over 55 square miles of water 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.
Keith County Visitors Center
119 East 2nd
Ogallala, NE 69153
800-658-4390
