Work to begin soon on Lake Maloney angler access project

Construction soon will begin on a project addressing angler access at one southwest Nebraska reservoir, while work on aquatic habitat at another will be delayed.

At Lake Maloney State Recreation Area south of North Platte, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will increase angler access along the lake inlet. Anglers will be able to fish closer to the water’s edge after a retaining wall and concrete path are built. Also, a wooden fishing pier will be built close to the inlet.

Starting on Sept. 9, park visitors and anglers can expect the entrance road at Kansas Point Drive as well as the park to be closed and traffic patterns affected along WN Lake Road.

Lake Maloney’s electrical campground at Kansas Point will be closed during the improvement project, but basic camping will be available at the outlet. The next closest electrical camping is at Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area or Sutherland SRA.

Funding for the aquatic habitat project is being provided by the Game and Parks Aquatic Habitat Program, with the Nebraska Public Power District providing engineering design and riprap for construction.

At Medicine Creek Reservoir, north of Cambridge, approximately 40 shoals were scheduled to be built in the lake basin. These structures are made from sediment and rock as underwater fish habitat in at least 8 feet of water. 

With the high amount of rainfall this season, the reservoir was only drawn down about 6 feet so construction will be delayed until next summer. The public can expect some limited closures in areas the contractor will stockpile riprap in late fall and winter in preparation for next year.  

Funding is being provided by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Nebraska Aquatic Habitat Program.

Editor’s note: Updated Sept. 23, 2024, to reflect campground closure.