The best resource for Nebraska anglers, the 2026 Nebraska Fishing Forecast, is now available for anglers to begin planning their trips. This publication is shared annually by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and includes both sampling charts and a write up by Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach and program manager. Whether fishing for walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, or any other game species in Nebraska this is the best resource for anglers.
Walleye Fishing in Nebraska
Nebraska’s fisheries can vary greatly throughout the state, and generally speaking the larger the reservoir the better and more consistent walleye fishing it produces. Many of these are found across central and western Nebraska.
“Nebraska’s largest waters are the state’s best walleye habitats and consistently provide the best fishing,” states Bauer in his report. “Walleye populations in these waters are dynamic, often changing in response to fluctuating water levels.”
Each year Nebraska Game and Parks fisheries biologists conduct sampling across the state, and these sampling reports are pointing toward Winters Creek, Merritt, Oliver, Maloney, Elwood, and Box Butte offering the greatest abundance of walleyes. Oliver also had a strong abundance of walleyes sampled, however many of these are less than 15 inches.
While abundance is important, generally speaking anglers are looking for walleyes 15 inches or greater, with those between 15 and 20 inches considered preferred. These are referred to as the “eater” caliber walleye.
“Merritt, Winters Creek, Sutherland, Crescent, and Elwood will be particularly good for 15-20-inch walleyes in 2026,” states Bauer in his report.
Nebraska is also home to several fisheries that can produce trophy caliber for walleyes, and there is plenty of opportunity for anglers seeking those bigger walleyes as well as the “eater” caliber fish.
“Anglers targeting big walleyes should plan trips to McConaughy, Elwood, Box Butte, and Sherman reservoirs,” continues Bauer in his report.
While the larger reservoirs are the best walleye fisheries, there are opportunities on smaller waterbodies and in eastern Nebraska as well.
“Smaller waters are less ideal walleye habitats, but several of those will offer some walleye opportunities this year,” says Bauer in his report. “Czechland, Prairie Queen, and Skyview will give anglers a chance to catch walleyes in eastern Nebraska.”
Saugeye, a hybrid between walleye and sauger, will also provide fishing opportunities for anglers in 2026.
“Saugeye fisheries have developed across the state in recent years,” explains Bauer in his report. “Typically, saugeyes have been most successful in reservoirs that are too small to be ideal walleye habitats, but they also provide some good fishing opportunities in Sandhill lakes.”
Good examples of these fisheries would be Cunningham, Medicine Creek, and Hayes Center. In the Sandhills, Big Alkali, Willow, and Rat and Beaver lakes will also provide saugeye fishing opportunities.
In total 31 waterbodies are included in the walleye sampling report, indicating a strong level of opportunities for anglers targeting walleye across Nebraska. There are 16 waterbodies included in the saugeye sampling report as well.
While fewer, sauger also present an angling opportunity in Nebraska.
“Sauger fishing will be best on Lewis and Clark Reservoir and the Missouri River in northeast Nebraska, but Johnson and Jeffrey reservoirs and the Tri-County canal system also have good numbers of sauger,” states Bauer in his report.
Bass Fishing in Nebraska
While walleyes are a favorite among Nebraska anglers, there are ample opportunities to catch the most popular sportfish in America. Largemouth bass are present throughout the state offering very good angling opportunities.
Largemouth bass are most present in fisheries with stable water levels, clean water, and ample aquatic vegetation.
“In Nebraska, small reservoirs, Sandhill lakes, pits, and ponds provide the best of that habitat,” states Bauer in his report. “Some of those waters can have high densities of bass, which favors excellent panfish fishing as largemouth bass keep panfish numbers in check. However, waters with lots of bass may not necessarily be the best for big bass.”
Largemouth bass and bluegill have a special relationship, with one population significantly impacting the other. An abundance of smaller largemouth bass will reduce the numbers of bluegill, but often lead to larger bluegill and overall good bluegill fisheries. By contrast, an abundance of small bluegill and fewer bass will result in fewer, but larger, largemouth bass.
“When looking at the sampling data for the best bass waters, those with the highest numbers of bass may not offer opportunities to catch fish larger than 15 inches,” elaborates Bauer in his report. “On the other hand, lower densities of largemouth bass can offer the best chances to catch bass larger than 15 inches.”
Anglers need to consider all of these factors when finding the best bass lakes. Fortunately, several stand out from this sampling data.
“Some small to medium size reservoirs that will be particularly good this year include Summit, Youngman, Cub Creek, Walnut Creek, Burchard, and Kramper,” forecasts Bauer in his report. “Pits are some of the best bass fisheries in the state. Louisville #2, Darr, Fremont Slough, Two Rivers #2 and #3, Humphrey, and Sandy Channel #8 will offer some excellent bass fishing in 2026.”
Notably many of these reservoirs are located in eastern Nebraska and a short drive from both the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas. However, there is great bass fishing throughout the state.
“In the Sandhills, Frye Lake will be a good bet for 15-inch and larger bass,” adds Bauer in his report.
Largemouth bass are not the only species available in Nebraska, with smallmouth bass also providing angling opportunities.
“Smallmouth bass can be caught at Big Elk, Sutherland, McConaughy, and Merritt, and as well as the Missouri River in northeast Nebraska,” includes Bauer in his report.
Other Fishing Opportunities in Nebraska
In addition to walleye, saugeye, sauger, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass there is an abundance of other fishing opportunities present in Nebraska.
Anglers wishing to learn more can view the full sampling report and write-up in the 2026 Nebraska Fishing Forecast. This forecast also includes information on white bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, yellow perch, northern pike, muskellunge, and trout.
New Nebraska Fishing Regulations for 2026
Several new fishing regulation changes went into effect January 1, 2026, that anglers need to be aware of.
Bass anglers should be aware that Wolbach City Pond in Greeley County and Forest City Recreation Area and Mad Bear Recreation in Sarpy County will now have a 21-inch black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted) minimum length limit.
Additionally, Marlin Petermann Recreation Area in Douglas County will have a smallmouth bass daily bag limit of two fish and a 12-inch maximum length limit.
Yellow perch anglers will now have a five fish daily bag limit at Marlin Petermann Recreation Area.
Muskie anglers at Pelican Lake in Cherry County will no longer have the exception of one over 34 inches or longer, no minimum length, three fish bag limit, three fish possession limit to the statewide length, bag, and possession limits as this has been rescinded.
Anglers can find complete information on regulations, daily limits, length limits, and more in the 2026 Nebraska Fishing Guide, which is available online and hard copy in local sporting goods stores and bait shops.
Olive Creek Reservoir to See Renovation
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced that Olive Creek Reservoir in Lancaster County will be renovated in February 2026. This is when a chemical is applied to remove undesired fish, in this case invasive common carp, from a fishery.
This is after a prolonged drought period has left extremely low water levels and a significantly degraded fishery. Sampling efforts done in the fall of 2025 indicated a fishery dominated by common carp, with some channel catfish and black crappie.
The combination of few fish in the water, low water levels, and a carp-dominated fishery makes for ideal conditions for renovation. Following this renovation, if spring precipitation can rebound water levels post treatment stockings will take place.
These stockings will consist of more desirable species including largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie, and saugeye. Ideally, the renovation, rebounding water levels, and stocking will result in a greater fishing opportunity.
