Whether you're looking for a convenient, family-friendly lake close to home or road tripping to find the perfect fishing spot, these resources can help get you started.
The suggested locations below are located near Nebraska’s largest communities or along I-80. They include amenities like picnic shelters, hiking trails, barrier-free access, a nearby playground, and highly maintained fish populations, making them perfect for family fishing outings.
Amenities: picnic areas and grills, playground, sprayground, accessible fishing pier, restrooms
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and seasonally stocked rainbow trout
Tips: Benson Park is a wonderful fishing spot for any angler, and especially new and young fishers. The shorelines are safe and vegetation-free. A simple hook and boober rig with small pieces of worm are recommended for a successful fishing trip. Nebraska Game and Parks’ community fishing nights are frequently held here due to accessibility and ability to catch fish.
Amenities: concrete boat ramps, wheelchair-accessible pier, picnic tables, portable restrooms, playground
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, common carp and largemouth bass
Tips: Don’t shy away from the vegetation during the summer months, however. While more challenging to fish, exploding bass and bluegill populations have made it very worthwhile.
Amenities: walking trails, concrete fishing platforms, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and seasonally stocked rainbow trout
Tips: Fontenelle Park Pond was recently improved with better shoreline access and fish stockings. A trail around the lake leads to multiple fishing access opportunities and is a wonderful location for new and beginning anglers. Nebraska Game and Parks’ community fishing nights are frequently held here due to accessibility and ability to catch fish.
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, kayak launch, picnic areas, restrooms, camping, hiking and biking trails
Fish species: bluegill, bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, crappie, muskellunge, white bass, largemouth bass and saugeye
Tips: Breakwaters (jetties) allow bank anglers to take advantage of fishing-holding structure on both sides of the lake.
Amenities: playground, walking path and trail, basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, baseball diamond, horseshoe pits, arboretum, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and seasonally stocked rainbow trout
Tips: Halleck is the perfect walk-around lake for folks of all ages. Nebraska Game and Parks’ community fishing nights are frequently held here due to accessibility and ability to catch fish.
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, fishing pier, playground, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish species: bluegill, crappie, walleye, redear sunfish, channel catfish and largemouth bass
Tips: Aquatic vegetation during the spring and summer does make the shallow edges difficult to fish more than a foot beneath the surface. Counter this by looking for fish in deeper water or working weedless baits on or near the surface.
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, hike/bike trails, restrooms, picnic areas
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and largemouth bass
* In an effort to protect the fishery, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District encourages the practice of catch and release at Prairie View Rec Area.
Tips: There are lots of nooks to find fish by water or walking. A great place to catch largemouth bass just northwest of the Omaha city limits.
Amenities: picnic areas, paved walking trail, playground, full service restrooms, splash pad
Fish species: Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and largemouth bass
Tips: Schwer has some nice crappie and largemouth bass, and nearly all of them are accessible by those willing to walk in the short grass around the lake.
Amenities: walking trails, bike path, baseball, tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish species: Bluegill, channel catfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass and seasonally stocked rainbow trout
Tips: Towl is a small, scenic lake near West Center Street. Teach a young one fly rod basics at this lake where the panfish aren’t too picky. Nebraska Game and Parks’ community fishing nights are frequently held here due to accessibility and ability to catch fish.
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, fishing jetties, paved walking trail, pit toilets, playground, picnic shelters, modern campground, leash-free dog exercise area
*There are no garbage cans here, so pack your trash out.
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, walleye, largemouth bass and redear sunfish
Tips: Early mornings and late afternoons can be spent catching bass on scum frogs and other topwater lures, as well as redear sunfish on a variety of small tackle options. Meanwhile, late risers can target the deep woody structure throughout the lake for multiple species. In addition, deep water structure is available near the wheelchair-accessible locales. This lake was designed for fish habitat and for anglers, and it’s a treasure because of this design.
Amenities: walking trails, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish to catch: bluegill, channel catfish and largemouth bass (all fish caught must be released back into the pond)
Tips: A beautiful setting amongst mature black walnut trees, this little pond is small but a sleeper you must fish.
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible pier, pit toilets, paved walking trail, picnic shelters
Fish species: bluegill, bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, crappie, largemouth bass and walleye
Tips: With seemingly unlimited shoreline access and fish-structure features, the opportunity to catch multiple fish species at Wehrspann is available during each visit. Plus, a sediment dam on the upper end of the lake provides strong water quality all year long.
Amenities: hiking trail, playground, picnic tables, restrooms
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish and largemouth bass
Tips: Whitehawk is a fishbowl of sorts, with very little structure above or beneath the water. Fish the visible contour breaks around the entirety of the lake for active fish.
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, paved walking trail, playgrounds, picnic shelters, restrooms
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, muskellunge, green sunfish, wipers (must be released immediately), crappie, largemouth bass and walleye
Tips: Zorinsky Lake is part of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s walleye stocking program, offering anglers a chance at legal 15-inch walleye.
Fish species: Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and seasonally stocked rainbow trout
Tips: A paved trail around the lake allows for easy access to mowed shorelines and snag-free fishing. A large fishing pier near the parking area offers wheelchair barrier free access. The fish in this lake can include anything found in the Missouri River, and is a great resource for new and beginning anglers. Nebraska Game and Parks’ community fishing nights are frequently held here due to accessibility and ability to catch fish.
Fish species: Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and seasonally stocked rainbow trout
Tips: A paved trail around the lake allows for easy access to the floating fishing pier and many fishing access points around the lake, This new lake in Gretna offers a good fishing opportunity for all anglers.
Amenities: accessible fishing piers, concrete boat ramp, playground, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, white perch, redear sunfish, rainbow trout (annually stocked in October in the south pond)
Special fishing regulations: It is illegal to possess live white perch.
Tips: Bowling Lake features ample shoreline access and a fishing pier, making it accessible for bank anglers. Focus on areas with submerged structures, vegetation, or drop-offs, as fish often congregate in these spots.
Amenities: A deck is available near the marina, and fish cleaning stations are located at areas 5 and 11.
Fish species: blue catfish, bluegill, common carp, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, largemouth bass, walleye, white perch and wiper
Special fishing regulations: There’s a 10-inch minimum length limit to keep crappie in your possession. Striped bass, white bass, wiper and flathead catfish are catch-and-release. Daily bag limit of 1 fish for blue catfish. It is illegal to possess live white perch.
Tips: Branched Oak Lake is a great spot for beginning anglers thanks to its diverse fish population and accessible fishing areas. If you’re just starting out, try fishing for catfish using simple setups like a bottom rig with stink bait, chicken liver, or cut bait — these fish are plentiful and not too picky. Crappie are another beginner-friendly target; they respond well to small jigs or live minnows fished under a bobber near brush piles or rocky areas. Crappies can be easily targeted during the spawn in May along shallow rocky shorelines and jetties.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, kayak launches, restrooms, accessible fishing piers, campgrounds, hiking/biking trails, picnic areas
Fish species: crappie, bluegill, rock bass, channel catfish, tiger musky and largemouth bass
Tips: Conestoga Lake was rehabilitated in 2018 and now includes an improved boat ramp, campgrounds, kayak launching areas, wheelchair-accessible fishing piers and platforms, and mowed shorelines. New hiking trails can lead you to more remote and natural shoreline fishing.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Amenities: paved hike/bike trail, accessible fishing pier, restrooms, playground, picnic areas
Fish species: bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout (stocked in March, October and December), channel catfish, crappie, walleye, white perch, common carp
Special fishing regulations: It is illegal to possess live white perch.
Tips: Holmes Lake is the perfect place to take kids fishing. The shoreline includes multiple types of fishing habitat. The area has a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, fishing jetties, sand beaches and more remote ungroomed areas. A hiking trail circles the lake and connects to the Lincoln trail system.
Amenities: archery range, hiking/biking/equestrian trails, campgrounds, disc golf course, picnic areas, playground, shooting range, fish cleaning station
Fish species: saugeye, largemouth bass, bluegill, blue catfish, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, white perch and common carp
Special fishing regulations: Daily bag limit of 1 fish for blue catfish. It is illegal to possess live white perch.
Tips: Prime spots for catfish include the rock jetties by the swimming beaches and boat launches, drop-offs, and along the parking area on the dam. Focus on all 3 catfish species, using fresh cut bait fished on the bottom. For saugeye, try using crankbaits or a jig and minnow near the drop-offs or around submerged structures. Early morning and evening are the best times, especially in spring and summer.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Amenities: hiking trails, camping, picnic areas, restrooms, accessible fishing pier, concrete boat ramp
Fish species: channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, white perch, common carp, redear sunfish, walleye
Special fishing regulations: Catch and Release only for all catfish. It is illegal to possess live white perch.
Tips: Wildwood Lake is 15 miles further northwest near Agnew, and includes a trophy catch and release channel catfish population.
Nearest city: Kearney
Amenities: nearby monument museum and Visitor Center with modern restrooms, picnic shelter, hike/bike trails
Fish species: Lake 1 – bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, common carp, tiger musky, yellow perch; Lake 2- smallmouth bass, yellow perch; Lake 3 – smallmouth bass, black crappie, channel catfish; Lake 4 – smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill
Tips: The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument has four lakes totaling 30 acres open for public fishing. Lakes range in size from 1 to 25 acres and offer good opportunities for a variety of species.
Nearest city: Wood River
Amenities: gravel boat ramp, playground, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish species: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, common carp
Tips: A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: Kearney
Amenities: fishing piers (Lakes 5, 6 and 7), modern restrooms, campgrounds, disc golf course, hiking trails, playground, picnic areas, swimming beach
Fish species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, rainbow trout (stocked seasonally in Lake 6)
Tips: There are seven small fishing lakes totaling 21 acres with plenty of shoreline access. All lakes offer good fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Fishing tackle can be borrowed to use in the park.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: North Platte
Amenities: accessible fishing piers, concrete boat ramp, restroom, playground, picnic areas
Fish species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, yellow perch, rainbow trout (stocked seasonally)
Tips: Park is a managed by the City of North Platte and includes a 26-acre lake that provides good fishing opportunities. Fishing piers and boat ramp were recently completed and make the area accessible for anglers of all types.
Nearest city: Elwood
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, fish-cleaning stations at the inlet and outlet, modern restrooms and pit toilets, picnic areas, playground, campgrounds, hiking trails, swimming beach
Fish species: flathead catfish, channel catfish, crappie, walleye, sauger, white bass, wiper, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, common carp, paddlefish, bluegill
Tips: Private homes around this 2,190-acre lake limit shoreline access, but bank anglers still can find good fishing for walleye, white bass, and some big channel catfish. The inlet on the west side can be especially productive. Two accessible fishing piers are available at the inlet area, along with near-water sidewalks designed for angling.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: North Platte
Amenities: concrete boat ramps, fish-cleaning stations, two accessible fishing piers and an accessible fishing walkway in the inlet area, campgrounds, disc golf course, picnic areas, restrooms, swimming beach, privately managed marina
Fish species: walleye, wiper, white bass, channel catfish, common carp, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, flathead catfish, freshwater drum
Tips: Private residences line much of the shoreline at Lake Maloney SRA, but bank access is available at the inlet and outlet areas.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: Ogallala
Amenities: concrete boat ramps, fish-cleaning stations, restrooms, campgrounds, swimming beaches, archery range (Lake McConaughy), food service, playgrounds, picnic areas
Fish species at Lake Mac: walleye, wiper, white bass, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, common carp, bullhead, freshwater drum
Fish species at Lake Ogallala: rainbow trout, tiger trout, walleye, white bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, wiper, smallmouth bass
Tips: At 30,00 acres when full, Lake McConaughy is the largest lake in the state. Located below the dam is 650-acre Lake Ogallala. Together, the lakes offer some of the best fishing in Nebraska. Lake Mac is well known for its walleye. Lake Ogallala is a tailwater fishery, receiving cold water from Lake McConaughy that allows it to support trout year-round, many of them trophy-size.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: Grand Island
Amenities: accessible fishing piers, concrete boat ramp, playground, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms
Fish species: West Lake – largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, crappie, muskellunge, walleye, yellow perch; Middle Lake – largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, redear sunfish; East Lake – largemouth bass, bluegill, common carp, crappie
Tips: A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: Elm Creek
Amenities: concrete boat ramps on Lakes 2, 4 and 8; accessible fishing piers on Lakes 4 and 8; campgrounds, picnic areas and restrooms
Fish species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, rock bass, crappie, yellow perch, common carp, walleye (Lake 8), muskellunge (Lake 8)
Notes: This SRA has six lakes, totaling 52 acres. The largest lake has excellent water clarity and is often used by scuba divers.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: Sutherland
Amenities: concrete boat ramp, fish-cleaning station, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, swimming area
Fish species: channel catfish, walleye, white bass, wiper, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum
Tips: Shore access is available at several locations around the reservoir with the inlet and bubble being two popular spots to fish. Walleye, white bass, and wiper fishing opportunities are consistently some of the best in the state.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: Gibbon
Amenities: accessible fishing pier (Lake 2), archery range, volleyball court, disc golf course, playground, campgrounds, picnic areas, modern restrooms
Fish species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, rainbow trout (stocked seasonally in Lake 2), common carp
Tips: There are six small lakes in the park, totaling 23 acres, with ample shoreline access. The lakes offer great opportunities to catch largemouth bass and bluegill, making the SRA a good choice for families with young children.
A valid 2025 Nebraska state park vehicle permit is required for entry.
Nearest city: Kearney
Amenities: wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, walking/biking trails, playground, splash pads, labyrinth, gardens, observation tower, picnic tables and shelters, modern restrooms
Fish species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, yellow perch, rainbow trout (stocked seasonally)
Tips: With many amenities and outdoor activities, this 20-acre lake in Yanney Heritage Park is a great place to take the family fishing.
Nebraska’s family-friendly lakes are safe, comfortable, include a variety of amenities and have great fish-catching potential.
Deciding where to fish in Nebraska can sometimes be challenging. The water bodies listed in our top places to fish have proved to be Nebraska’s best fishing spots year after year.
Our annual fishing forecast can help you pick your next place to fish. The forecast contains research statistics and graphs to explain sampling information for important sport fish species sampled across Nebraska.
Fishing Permits
Purchase stamps, resident and non-resident fishing permits here.
Park Pricing
A park entry permit is required to visit state parks and may be purchased at the park, statewide Game and Parks offices and permit vendors, or in advance of your arrival online. View those fees, as well as attraction and amenity pricing.
