Nebraska Recreation

2014 Annual Pass  - Photo by Katherine Hawkins-2012 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize winner "America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass" (replaces Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access and National Parks passports) discounts are NOT ACCEPTED for admission to Reclamation managed facilities or parks – with the exception of the New Melones Lake Reclamation managed recreation areas. This pass can be used for admission to facilities and parks that receive benefits and revenues from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, like New Melones Lake; however, other Reclamation facilities do not receive revenues through this Act.



Box Butte Reservoir:

lodging nearby primitive campsites bait and tackle maps available public facilities boatramp available swimming canoeing license required

Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503; (308)762-5605. Located 10 miles north of Hemingford. Nearest highway, Nebraska 385. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Fishing season is year-round. Available species incl ude northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and channel catfish. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing minor fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 1,600 surface acres. View information regarding Box Butte Reservoir.

Calamus Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites bait and tackle maps available public facilities boatramp available swimming canoeing information center license required disabled angler facilities

HC Box 201, Burwell, NE 68823; (308)346-5666. Located 5 miles northwest of Burwell. Nearest highway, Nebraska 91. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Fishing season is year round. Available species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and crappie. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 5,125 surface acres. View specific public facilities for this site. View information regarding Calamus Reservoir.

Davis Creek Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites public facilities boatramp available canoeing license required

Box 129, Ord, NE 68862; (308)745-0230. Located 5 miles south of North Loup. Nearest highway, Nebraska 11. Reservoir open 24 hours. Fair access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and bullhead. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing extreme fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 1,140 surface acres. Fishing season is year-round. View information about Davis Creek Dam.

Enders Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites maps available public facilities boatramp available swimming canoeing information center license required

RR 1, Box 4B, Enders, NE 69027; (308) 394-5118 Located 2 miles east of Enders. Nearest highway, U.S. 6. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and wipers. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing minor fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 1,705 surface acres. View specific public facilities for this site. View information regarding Enders Reservoir.

Hugh Butler Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites bait and tackle public facilities boatramp available swimming canoeing information center license required

RR 1, Box 145, McCook, NE 69001; (308) 345-6507. Located 10 miles north of McCook. Nearest highway, Nebraska 83. Reservoir open 24 hours. Fair access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and wipers. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 1,630 surface acres. Fishing season is year-round. View specific public facilities for this site. View information regarding Hugh Butler Reservoir.

Harry Strunk Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites bait and tackle maps available public facilities boatramp available swimming canoeing license required

RR 2, Box 95, Cambridge, NE 69022; (308)697-4667. Located 9 miles northwest of Cambridge. Nearest highway, U.S. 34. Reservoir open 24 hours. Fair access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, white b ass, channel catfish, and wipers. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 1,850 surface acres. Fishing season is year-round. View specific public facilities for this site. View information regarding Harry Strunk Reservoir.

Inland Lakes:

Inland Lakes is a system of four small artificial reservoirs located in Scotts Bluff County, about 6 miles north of Minatare and 14 miles northeast of Scottsbluff. Both towns are located along U.S. 26. The reservoirs are operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, (308)389-4622, to facilitate timely delivery of irrigation water from the North Platte River via the Interstate Canal System. No improvements, services, or facilities.

Lake Minatare State Recreation Area:

primitive campsites maps available public facilities boatramp available hiking/nature trails canoeing information center license required

Lake Minatare State Recreation Area, Box 188, Minatare, NE 69356; (308)783-2911. Managed as a State recreation area by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lake Minatare, with a surface area of 2,158 acres and slightly more than 7 miles of shoreline is a part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge. Available species include channel catfish, crappie, small mouth bass, white bass, walleye (15 inch minimum), wipers, and yellow perch. Walleye, channel catfish, and gizzard shad are stocked in the reservoir annually. Motorized boats are permitted. The area is open to the public from Jan. 15 to Sept. 30. View specific public facilities for this site.

Lake Alice:

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, Box 1346, Scottsbluff, NE 69363;(308)635-7851. Lake Alice, with a surface area of 752 acres and nearly 6 miles of shoreline, lies almost entirely within the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge. The west side of the reservoir features an undisturbed bird sanctuary. As the reservoir is nearly drained during the non-irrigation season, there is no viable sport fishery in the lake. The east side is open to the public during daylight hours from May 15 to Sept 30. No improvements, services, or facilities.

Merritt Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites bait and tackle maps available public facilities boatramp available swimming canoeing information center license required

420 East First St., Valentine, NE 69201; (420)684-2921. Located 21 miles southwest of Valentine. Nearest highway, Nebraska 97. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 2,905 surface acres. Fishing season is year-round. View specific public facilities for this site. View information regarding Merritt Reservoir.

Sherman Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites bait and tackle maps available public facilities boatramp available canoeing license required

RR 2, Box 117, Loup City, NE 68853; (308) 745-0230. Located 5 miles northeast of Loup City. Nearest highway, Nebraska 92. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, white bass, northern pike, and channel and flathead catfish. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing extreme fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 2,870 surface acres. Fishing season year-round. View specific public facilities for this site. View information regarding Sherman Reservoir.

Swanson Reservoir:

food nearby lodging nearby primitive campsites bait and tackle maps available public facilities boatramp available swimming canoeing information center license required

RR 2, Box 20, Stratton, NE 69043; (308) 276-2671. Located 3 miles southwest of Trenton. Nearest highway, U.S. 34. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and wipers. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing minor fluctuations. Reservoir peaks a 4,975 surface acres. View specific public facilities for this site. View information regarding Swanson Reservoir.

Winters Creek Lake:

boatramp available canoeing license required no motors allowed watchable wildlife

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, Box 1346, Scottsbluff, NE 69363; (308)635-7851. Most of the Winters Creek Lake lies within the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge. The Northeast side features an undisturbed bird sanctuary. The lake has a surface area of 379 acres and approximately 4 miles of shoreline. Available species include bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, walleye (15 inch minimum), and yellow perch. Walleye are stocked in the reservoir annually. Channel catfish stocked when available. Non-powered boats only. Open to the public from Jan. 15 to Sept. 30, during daylight hours.

Last Updated: 9/29/17