Nebraska’s Best Fish to Catch (and Where to Find Them)

Quick Take

• The weather conditions that trigger a walleye feeding frenzy in Nebraska aren't what most anglers expect, and fishing on the wrong kind of day means going home empty-handed. Walleye seasons and locations →
• Largemouth and smallmouth bass don't just look different. They live in entirely separate corners of the state, and targeting the wrong water all but guarantees a wasted trip. Bass habitat differences →
• Channel catfish trophy catches can dwarf the statewide average by a shocking margin, but only if you fish around one specific biological trigger that most anglers overlook. Channel catfish peak timing →
• Rainbow trout fishing in Nebraska doesn't require a remote wilderness drive. The state quietly stocks them somewhere most anglers would never think to cast a line. Urban trout stocking spots →

Nebraska is the perfect environment for angling year-round. With approximately 79,056 miles of river and a variety of sandpit lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands, the state offers many opportunities for exciting freshwater fishing. Whether you are targeting sport fish or planning your next great meal, discover the best fish to catch in Nebraska and where to find them before your next trip to the Cornhusker State.

1. Walleye

Walleye are considered one of the best fish to catch in Nebraska if you’re looking for good table fare. These fish have long, narrow gold and olive bodies and pale bellies. They also have large sharp teeth with prominent canines, and large, light-reflecting eyes that allow them to hunt in dim or murky water. Walleyes caught in Nebraska are around 15-16 inches, with most statewide waters requiring these fish to be a minimum of 15 inches to be kept. Catches generally weigh between 1-4 pounds, but some can grow larger.

The best time to fish for walleye in Nebraska is May and June, when the fish feed heavily post-spawn. Walleye move into the shallows to feed at dusk, dawn, and at night. Windy and overcast days are also recommended fishing days, as these conditions can push baitfish closer to the shore, triggering a walleye feeding frenzy. Top locations to fish for walleye include Lake McConaughy, Merritt Reservoir, and Sherman Reservoir.

2. Bass

Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are popular sport fish in the state. Largemouth bass tend to be a bit larger, rounder, and more greenish-colored than smallmouth bass. Largemouths have an upper jaw that reaches past the eyes and a dark, horizontal stripe on their sides. They commonly reach 12 to 15 inches or more, with the best state waters producing fish over 5 to 7 pounds. Smallmouth bass are slimmer and more bronze-brown. Their upper jaw extends to about the middle of the eyes and they have vertical bars on their sides. Smallmouth bass average 10 to 16 inches, with trophy river and reservoir catches reaching 4 to 5 pounds.

The best time to fish for both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in Nebraska is late spring from May through June when warm water temperatures cause the fish to move into shallow waters to spawn. Fall, from September through October, is also a good time to fish, as bass feed aggressively to prepare for winter. Lake McConaughy, Merritt Reservoir, and Lewis and Clark Lake are popular destinations for smallmouth fishing, while the Sandhills lakes, Burchard Lake, and Lake Wanahoo are top locations for largemouth bass.

3. Channel Catfish

The channel catfish is the most abundant catfish species in North America. These fish have smooth, greyish-blue or olive skin with white or cream bellies, deeply forked tails, and eight whisker-like barbels. In Nebraska, the average size of caught channel catfish is 2 to 4 pounds, measuring from 12 to 20 inches, but some trophy fish can exceed 30 pounds.

Prime fishing for channel catfish takes place in June and July. In June, the fish move into shallow water prior to spawning and become active and aggressive, while July marks peak spawning season. The first few hours of daylight, late evening, or night are the best times to fish. Top destinations for channel catfish include the Missouri River, Platte River, Wagon Train Lake, and Branch Oak Lake. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) fish hatcheries regularly stock channel catfish in waters throughout the state.

4. Black Crappie

Black crappies are thin, flat, deep-bodied game fish that belong to the sunfish family. These fish have silvery-green bodies with dark blotches and 7 to 8 hard spines on their dorsal fin, and males become very dark during the spring spawn. Black crappies generally measure between 7 and 10 inches long and weigh about 0.5 to 1 pound.

Prime time for black crappie fishing in Nebraska is during the spring from April through May. When water temperatures begin to warm, crappies move into shallow water near shore to feed and spawn. Some of the top locations for crappies include Lake McConaughy, Lake Wanahoo, and Merritt Reservoir in the Sandhills.

5. Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout have olive-green or bluish-green, torpedo-shaped bodies with silvery bellies, a pinkish-red stripe along each side, and small, dark spots. They typically measure 11 to 18 inches and weigh between 1 and 5 pounds. However, they can reach larger sizes in lake habitats.

Rainbow trout prefer cooler water, so the best times to fish for them are spring from March through May and fall in October and November. Top fishing locations include Lake Ogallala below Lake McConaughy, Long Pine Creek, Verdigre Creek, and Fort Robinson State Park. The NGPC also stocks waterways across the state, including in urban areas like Omaha and Lincoln, in the spring and fall.