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Fly Fishing in Nebraska

25 featured rivers, lakes and streams in Nebraska, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Blue River (South Fork) (Channel Catfish, Common Carp)
A slow-moving river near Seward that provides great access for fly fishing for Flathead Catfish and Carp in the summer.
Boardman Creek (Brown Trout)
A small, secluded stream in the Sandhills that requires stealth and precision to target its wild Brown Trout population.
Box Butte Reservoir (Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye)
A western impoundment offering unique opportunities for sight-fishing to Large and Smallmouth Bass along the rocky faces and weed lines.
Dry Spotted Tail Creek (Rainbow Trout)
A technical spring-fed tributary of the North Platte River known for clear water and highly selective Rainbow Trout.
East Souris Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A quiet, cold-water creek in the Niobrara river valley that is regularly stocked and offers a great environment for hopper-dropper rigs.
Elkhorn River (Upper) (Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass)
A sandy-bottomed river in Holt County where fly fishermen can find aggressive Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass.
Fairfield Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
An extremely remote and rugged canyon creek known for difficult access but high rewards for wild Brown Trout enthusiasts.
Gracie Creek (Rainbow Trout)
A very short but cold spring creek flowing into Calamus Reservoir, known for its tiny water and surprisingly large trout.
Lake Ogallala (Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch)
The tailwater pool below the Kingsley Dam, famous for its 'trico' hatches and enormous, well-fed Rainbow Trout.
Long Pine Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Considered the crown jewel of Nebraska trout streams, this cold-water gem offers naturally reproducing Brown Trout in a scenic canyon setting.
Middle Loup River (Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass)
A braided sand-bottom river that offers exceptional fly fishing for Channel Catfish and Carp on the flats.
Monroe Creek (Brook Trout)
Small, high-desert canyon stream in the Pine Ridge area where wild Brook Trout thrive in deep, hidden undercut banks.
Ninemile Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
The premier spawning tributary for Lake McConaughy's Rainbow Trout, providing world-class technical fly fishing for migratory lake-run fish.
Plum Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A scenic creek in Brown County that offers diverse water types from fast riffles to deep pools, holding consistent trout numbers.
Red Willow Reservoir (Wiper, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass)
A southwest Nebraska lake featuring flooded timber and points that are excellent for targeting wipers and bass on topwater flies.
Schlagel Creek (Brown Trout)
A remote Sandhills spring creek that meanders through a WMA, providing excellent cover for spooky, wild Brown Trout.
Smith Lake WMA (Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass)
A shallow Sandhills lake perfect for fly anglers targeting Northern Pike in the vegetation using large, flashy streamers.
Snake River (Below Merritt Reservoir) (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A high-gradient river flowing through private canyon lands with public access points, offering some of the largest wild Brown Trout in the state.
Soldier Creek (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Located in the Fort Robinson area, this creek offers a wilderness experience with wild Brook and Brown Trout in a stunning pine-covered landscape.
Stagecoach Lake (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie)
An excellent Eastern Nebraska destination for fly anglers to target panfish and bass with small poppers and wooly buggers.
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Lakes (Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch)
A collection of clear-water lakes offering world-class sight fishing for massive Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike from a kayak or float tube.
Verdigre Creek (North Branch) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A consistent spring-fed stream in Northeast Nebraska that maintains cool temperatures year-round, ideal for nymphs and small streamers.
Victoria Creek (Brook Trout)
A small, brushy tributary of the Middle Loup River that holds a wild population of Brook Trout in a prairie setting.
White River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Flowing through the rugged Pine Ridge, the upper reaches provide surprisingly good fly fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout.
Wildwood Lake (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill)
A dedicated catch-and-release lake for bass and bluegill that responds exceptionally well to dragonfly and damselfly imitations.

Fly Fishing in Nebraska

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