26 public waters in the Southwest Nebraska region — 10 lakes/reservoirs and 16 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.
Johnson Lake (2,293 acres) sits in Gosper, Dawson, Stanton and 1 more county in Nebraska, managed by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. One of Nebraska's big federal or public-power reservoirs (McConaughy, Harlan County, Merritt, Sherman, Swanson, Calamus, Lewis and Clark) — the state's best all-round fisheries. Walleye and Saugeye headline most, plus White Bass and Wiper runs, smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, slab Crappie, trophy channel and Blue Catfish, and (at McConaughy) a stocked Rainbow Trout fishery in the cold tailrace. Big open reservoirs with a strong summer boating scene.
In Dawson County, Nebraska, Central Midway Lake is a 291-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 Dawson County, Nebraska, Plum Creek Canyon Reservoir is a 241-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.
Dawson County, Nebraska — East Midway Lake is a 155-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.
Dawson County, Nebraska — West Midway Lake is a 148-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.
Gallagher Canyon Reservoir (148 acres) sits in Dawson 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.
Lake Helen (30 acres) sits in Dawson County, Nebraska, managed by City Land. 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.
West Cozad Lake, a 19-acre lake in Dawson County, Nebraska, 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.
In Dawson County, Nebraska, Cozad Lake is a 18-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.
Dawson County, Nebraska — Interstate Lake is a 18-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.
Platte River runs 441 km through Dawson, Merrick, Saunders and 3 more counties in 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.
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.
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.
Gosper, Frontier, Dawson and 1 more county in Nebraska — Plum Creek is a 79 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.
Dawson and Custer Counties, Nebraska — Spring Creek is a 76 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.
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.
Stump Ditch (33 km) flows through Custer 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.
Lincoln, Dawson and Frontier Counties, Nebraska — North Plum Creek is a 27 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.
In Dawson County, Nebraska, French Creek is a 21 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.
West Buffalo Creek runs 18 km through Dawson 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.
Dawson County, Nebraska — Dawson County Drain Number 1 River is a 13 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.
Dry Fork Wood River (10 km) flows through Dawson County, Nebraska. 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.
Dawson and Custer Counties, Nebraska — Kilgore Creek is a 9 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.
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.
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 Dawson County, Nebraska, Bell Creek is a 7 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, Dawson County holds 22 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Flathead Catfish, 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.