Every year, the cold sets in, and winter takes hold. While for some, this means the end of fishing until spring, for the truly dedicated, it’s just the beginning of ice fishing.
Nebraska has many incredible ice fishing locations, but several rise above the rest once the water freezes. In this article, we’ll discuss where to go, what to catch, and how to catch them at Nebraska’s best ice-fishing lakes.
10 Best Ice Fishing Lakes in Nebraska
No matter where you plan to hit the hard water, always keep safety in mind. Ice fishing can be dangerous, especially in the early and later part of the season. Do not venture onto the ice if it is less than 4 inches thick.
Now that we’ve gotten the basic safety warning out of the way (you can find more of that linked below), let’s get to the best ice fishing spots in Nebraska.
Also, note that some amenities may have seasonal closures that could impact your ice fishing plans. For example, we’ve mentioned campgrounds at many locations, but it’s always best to check availability before leaving home.
Blue Lake
Located in the panhandle of Nebraska and bordering Cresent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Blue Lake is more than worth a visit if you have multiple days to fish. The refuge has several other solid ice fishing lakes nearby, including Cresent Lake and Island Lake.
Blue Lake offers anglers the opportunity to catch bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch through the ice. You can tempt any of these panfish using small jigs, spoons, and live minnows. If you’re looking for musky and pike, head to Cresent Lake with large minnows, spoons, and jigs.
There’s only one access point to the lake due to private property; however, it’s open to the public as long as anglers follow the simple rules.
Be prepared to travel a bit to find a place to stay, as there is no camping on the wildlife refuge, and the nearest hotels are nearly 30 miles south in Oshkosh.
Box Butte Reservoir
The 1,600-acre Box Butte Reservoir is in northwestern Nebraska. This panhandle lake is known for pike, bluegill, and yellow perch during the winter.
Walleye are another species many anglers target through the ice at Box Butte since a healthy population exists here.
You can target specific species by adjusting your baits and lures. Pike and walleye are more prone to eating large minnows, spoons, and jigs. However, you’ll catch more bluegill and perch using smaller minnows, jigs, and spoons.
The deepest water will be against the dam on the east side, and the west side is a shallow flat. Bushes and humps are all over the lake, which will hold fish throughout the winter.
There are multiple access points on the north side of the lake.
While there are primitive campsites at the State Recreation Area on the northeast end of the reservoir, there are very few other lodging options nearby. Several panhandle communities have hotels.
Elwood Reservoir
Elwood Reservoir in southern Nebraska is loaded with fish.
However, the biggest downside to winter fishing here is that the ice is sometimes unstable and dangerous because the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District pumps out of the lake. So be sure to check the pumping schedule and ice safety before venturing too far.
Muskies, pike, walleye, bluegill, yellow perch, and crappie are all caught here, along with other game fish.
Live minnows, hair jigs, and flutter spoons will get a bite from all species, but if you’re targeting the large predator fish, I recommend using large minnows and perch-colored lures.
Access to the lake is on the east side. This 1,300-acre impoundment is unique because it has lots of points and a few underwater humps to fish.
The Elwood Resort and Campground is a place to stay on the lake, and the nearby town of Lexington has several hotels near Interstate 80.
Harlan County Lake
Located near the Kansas line in south-central Nebraska, Harlan County Reservoir is a prime destination for walleye, black crappie, and pike when the water freezes.
Walleye are the most consistently stocked fish in the reservoir; however, channel catfish, wipers, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, and tiger musky have all been planted here in the past.
Nothing special in terms of gear and tackle is needed here; jigs, spoons, and minnows will catch just about anything you want to catch on hard water.
I recommend checking out Cedar Point, Patterson Harbor, Indian Hill, and Hunter Cove, as these areas have all had dozens of artificial brush piles placed by the Game and Parks Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Harlan County Lake also can be excellent for catching crappies all year.
There are plenty of campgrounds and other places to stay around Harlan County Lake and in nearby towns, such as Alma and Orleans.
Merritt Reservoir
Crappie, perch, and bluegill are the draw to Merritt Reservoir during the winter, but don’t be surprised by big walleye, musky, and pike in this northern Nebraska impoundment.
Frozen chubs and smelt on a tip-up work well for pike, while a live chub, bluegill, or sucker work best for big muskies. All other species can be caught using minnows, wax worms, jigs, spoons, and blade baits.
Boardman Creek and Snake River are the best places to find yellow perch and crappie in the winter. Don’t be afraid to go deep for crappie in the winter, as in 25-45 feet deep.
There are a few campgrounds to stay at around the lake, but other than that, lodging is limited.
For more information, see the Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area webpage.
Oxbow Trail Reservoir
This small 39-acre impoundment in southeastern Nebraska near Ulysses is home to excellent bluegill fishing when the water freezes.
Small jigs, spoons, and minnows will be your best bet to get a bite. I recommend drilling your holes near structure, such as a depth change, rock pile, or brush pile.
The primary access area is on the lake’s southwest corner, which is a short walk from where some of the best ice fishing will be.
If you’re looking for places to stay, camping is allowed at the Oxbow Trail Recreation Area, and Lincoln is only about 45 minutes away.
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Lakes
The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in north-central Nebraska has nine lakes open to fishing for bluegill, perch, bass, and northern pike.
Small minnows, flutter spoons, and jigs will be the best bait and lures during the popular ice fishing season.
No matter which lake you’re fishing at on the refuge, be sure to find structure to improve your odds of finding fish. Whether it’s a brush pile, hump, or point, fishing in these areas will yield the best results.
Dewey, Hackberry, Pelican and Clear lakes are some of the larger lakes here open to fishing, but several other lakes are off-limits.
Refuges will have specific regulations you’ll need to check before heading onto the ice.
When these small lakes warm up and fill with weeds in the summer, you can find some very good bass fishing.
The town of Valentine is just to the north and has a few hotels.
Lake Wanahoo
Because it’s so close to Lincoln and Omaha, Lake Wanahoo is a popular ice-fishing destination for bluegill, crappie, and northern pike.
Live baitfish are prohibited at the lake, so using jigs and soft plastics is best. Gold, white, pink, and red are the top colors.
Fish tend to hang out around submerged trees in 10-30 feet of water. The deeper they are, the less active they will be, but sometimes the fish leave you with no choice besides tempting them to bite in the depths.
I recommend using larger lures, such as flutter spoons, hair jigs, and soft plastics, when catch-and-release fishing for the northern pike. Switch to smaller jigs, other lures, or larva baits for keeper panfish.
There’s lots of easy access to the lake, which is in a designated recreation area, and there are places to stay in Wahoo, Lincoln, and Omaha.
Willow Creek Lake
Located in northeastern Nebraska, the 700-acre Willow Creek Lake allows ice anglers to land bluegill, crappie, walleye, and northern pike.
If you’ve ever fished, you know it’s best to find some kind of structure, whether a brush pile, rock pile, or depth change, as all fish will relate to these areas during the winter.
Keeping your lure selection simple is best with jigs, spoons, and minnows. Use bigger lures when targeting walleye, pike, and musky, and downsize your lures to catch bluegill and crappie.
There is a lot of access to the water around the lake, including from a couple of campgrounds. Check the Willow Creek State Recreation Area website for additional details.
While Pierce is the closest town with amenities, including a small RV park, you’ll have to go to Norfolk to find the nearest hotels.
Wehrspann Lake
Located within the city limits of Omaha, Wehrspann Lake is a local favorite for bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch.
This small 245-acre impoundment is heavily pressured compared to other lakes in Nebraska, but it’s still worth a visit if you’re looking for a quick getaway.
Finding the channel is critical to finding fish in Wehrspann. You’ll notice many other huts, holes, and anglers stacked together because this is where the fish tend to hang out in the winter.
Another hotspot is the old road bed. Fish will relate to the hard bottom created by the road, especially near the channel.
Gold and silver spoons and jigs tipped with red or pink plastics are the best option for this impoundment.
Because it receives a lot of pressure, it’s not a bad idea to make your lures stand out compared to the other anglers by slightly downsizing or changing the colors. However, there are always days when the tried and true lures and colors work the best, even if everyone else uses them.
Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged here, given the pressure. Note special regulations for bass.
There are several public access points with parking around the lake.
There are plenty of hotels in the Omaha area to pick from, but there is no camping at the Chalco Hills Recreation Area.
Ice Fishing Tips and Safety
Be sure to check out our simple guide to catching more fish and staying safer while ice fishing.