30 public waters in the South Central Nebraska region — 9 lakes/reservoirs and 21 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Nebraska licence.
See every public fishing venue in Nebraska on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Cottonmill Reservoir (45 acres) sits in Buffalo County, Nebraska, managed by Public boat ramp (OSM). One of NGPC's State Recreation Area lakes (Branched Oak, Pawnee, Wagon Train, Yankee Hill, Conestoga, Bluestem, Wildwood, Olive Creek, Stagecoach, Lake Wanahoo) — small-to-mid public lakes near Lincoln and across the state built and stocked by the state, most with a boat ramp. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and often a stocked Wiper fishery.
Cottonmill Lake, a 32-acre lake in Buffalo County, Nebraska, managed by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Buffalo County, Nebraska, Blue Hole West Lake is a 26-acre lake, managed by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Buffalo County, Nebraska, Blue Hole East Lake is a 24-acre lake, managed by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Buffalo County, Nebraska — Box Elder Creek Reservoir 5-A is a 24-acre lake, managed by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Kearney Reservoir (24 acres) sits in Buffalo County, Nebraska, managed by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Buffalo County, Nebraska, Kea Lake is a 21-acre lake, managed by State Fish and Wildlife. One of NGPC's State Recreation Area lakes (Branched Oak, Pawnee, Wagon Train, Yankee Hill, Conestoga, Bluestem, Wildwood, Olive Creek, Stagecoach, Lake Wanahoo) — small-to-mid public lakes near Lincoln and across the state built and stocked by the state, most with a boat ramp. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and often a stocked Wiper fishery.
This 16-acre impoundment in south-central Nebraska offers solid panfish and bass action within easy reach of the Buffalo County area. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie provide consistent summer fishing, while channel catfish and wipers round out the warm-water mix.
In Buffalo County, Nebraska, Ravenna Lake is a 15-acre lake, managed by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Buffalo, Hall, Custer and 2 more counties in Nebraska — Wood River is a 29 km stream: An eastern or central-Nebraska river (Elkhorn, Loup, North/South/Middle Loup, Cedar, Wood) — channel and Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp and Drum. The Loup system feeds the Sandhills' famously clear, spring-fed base flow.
In Custer, Buffalo, Logan and 1 more county in Nebraska, South Loup River is a 260 km river or creek. An eastern or central-Nebraska river (Elkhorn, Loup, North/South/Middle Loup, Cedar, Wood) — channel and Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp and Drum. The Loup system feeds the Sandhills' famously clear, spring-fed base flow.
Merrick, Hall, Nance and 2 more counties in Nebraska — Prairie Creek is a 39 km stream: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Custer, Sherman and Buffalo Counties, Nebraska — Mud Creek is a 116 km stream: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Buffalo Creek runs 83 km through Dawson, Buffalo and Custer Counties, Nebraska: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Buffalo and Hall Counties, Nebraska — North Channel Platte River is a 73 km stream: The Platte, North Platte or South Platte River — wide, shallow, braided sand-bed channels running the length of the state. Channel, flathead and Blue Catfish, Walleye and White Bass below the reservoirs, Carp and Drum. The Platte's braided channels and sandbars are also globally significant sandhill crane habitat each spring.
Hall, Kearney, Buffalo and 2 more counties in Nebraska — South Channel Platte River is a 56 km stream: The Platte, North Platte or South Platte River — wide, shallow, braided sand-bed channels running the length of the state. Channel, flathead and Blue Catfish, Walleye and White Bass below the reservoirs, Carp and Drum. The Platte's braided channels and sandbars are also globally significant sandhill crane habitat each spring.
Middle Channel Platte River (25 km) flows through Hall, Buffalo and Kearney Counties, Nebraska. The Platte, North Platte or South Platte River — wide, shallow, braided sand-bed channels running the length of the state. Channel, flathead and Blue Catfish, Walleye and White Bass below the reservoirs, Carp and Drum. The Platte's braided channels and sandbars are also globally significant sandhill crane habitat each spring.
Sweet Creek (46 km) flows through Buffalo and Hall Counties, Nebraska. A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Dawson and Buffalo Counties, Nebraska — Elm Creek is a 36 km stream: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Elk Creek (30 km) flows through Custer and Buffalo Counties, Nebraska. A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Cat Creek runs 18 km through Custer and Buffalo Counties, Nebraska: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
In Buffalo County, Nebraska, Deer Creek is a 11 km river or creek. A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Swenson Creek runs 10 km through Buffalo and Custer Counties, Nebraska: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Cherry Creek (10 km) flows through Buffalo County, Nebraska. A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Rusco Creek runs 9 km through Buffalo County, Nebraska: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Cherry Valley Creek runs 8 km through Buffalo and Dawson Counties, Nebraska: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Death Creek (7 km) flows through Buffalo County, Nebraska. A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
In Custer and Buffalo Counties, Nebraska, Black Hill Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Otter Creek runs 8 km through Buffalo and Dawson Counties, Nebraska: A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
In Hall and Buffalo Counties, Nebraska, Flash Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A Nebraska river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access is generally limited to bridge crossings, NGPC recreation areas and public parks off the state's few legally 'meandered' (public-streambed) rivers.
Across its mapped waters, Buffalo County holds 19 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Common Carp, Walleye and Northern Pike.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Nebraska map Join PiscaMapsOne Nebraska Game & Parks Commission fishing permit covers every public water in the state, the federal reservoirs and state recreation areas included — the resident annual is about $34, the non-resident annual about $95, with non-resident 1-day and 3-day options. A separate ~$18 trout stamp is required to fish for or keep trout at designated NGPC trout waters. Nebraska residents born before 1 January 1937 need no permit, and anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy at outdoornebraska.gov.