Outdoor Report

May 30, 2019

Unsettled weather the past few weeks has led to mixed results for anglers. Walleye are being caught off the dam at night, but also in the shallows on the west end. Numbers have been low, but quality size fish are being reported.  Small mouth bass fishing has been sucessful along the rocks of the south shore. Catfish in the river have been hot, but increased flows could affect the bite. Trout bites in Lake Ogallala have been slow, but more success has been reported in the North Platte River below the diversion dam. Water temperature reports have varied around the lake, with temps generally in the mid 50’s.

UPDATE June 8: Beach camping will be more limited this year, due to recent rainfall and late snowfall in the mountains.  Lake Mac is filling up at about a tenth of a foot a day, and is expected to get within a couple feet of  full pool by the beginning of irrigation season in July.  On June 8, Lake McConaughy’s elevation was at 3,258.4 feet – which is 88.8% of capacity or 6.6 feet from full.

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.