Bufflehead Lake treated to remove unwanted fish, restore fishery

The lake at Bufflehead Wildlife Management Area near Kearney was chemically treated with rotenone Oct. 28 to remove all fish as part of a lake renovation project.

The lake located on the north side of Interstate 80 just east of the city was inundated with Platte River flows during the historic flood of 2019, allowing unwanted species such as common carp, buffalo and gizzard shad to enter the lake. Since then, the sportfish fishery has suffered, with bluegill and largemouth bass populations in steady decline.

Fisheries managers plan to restock the lake with yellow perch, black crappie and bass in 2025. With undesirable fish species absent, biologists anticipate a rapid recovery of the fishery due to improved water quality and aquatic habitat conditions.  

To find other fishing locations in the area, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Where to Fish.”

For questions about fisheries management, contact the South-Central District Office of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at 308-865-5310.