This is a fishing forecast for the Omaha targeting large bass may want to check out metro. The forecast includes figures for area Memphis SRA just north of Ashland. public water bodies that were surveyed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission during Crappie *2011 and 2012. Therefore, there may be other Crappies are highly regarded by anglers and water bodies in the area that provide good are often considered to be among the best fishing opportunities that are not included in tasting freshwater fish. Crappies prefer habitat this forecast (see map). The following information will help anglers decide on where with sheltered coves or bays with and the best fishing for a variety of species can be abundance of cover and aquatic vegetation. found based on survey results. Anglers seeking Anglers looking for plenty of eating-size more information on area lakes such as crappies should head to Wehrspann, Standing locations, lake maps, regulations and stocking Bear, or Walnut Creek. However, the drive to reports are encouraged to browse the Nebraska Memphis SRA may pay off with a few crappies Game and Parks’ website at greater than 12 inches. www.outdoornebraska.org . Channel Catfish Bluegills Channel catfish are popular throughout Nebraska and can be found in almost every Bluegills prefer clean water and an reservoir and river in the metro area. Some abundance of aquatic plants. They are an waters to note for catfish anglers in the Omaha excellent fish for beginning anglers to pursue. metro area would be Two Rivers SRA and Bluegills can be caught year round, but may be Wehrspann. Memphis SRA, which is not listed most susceptible to anglers during the spawn. on the figure, will also provide excellent Spawning activity peaks when water opportunity for both numbers and size. temperatures are 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit, The Platte River, water willing, will also usually late May or early June. Recreational provide some good catfishing opportunities. anglers or beginners who just want to catch Anglers should target log jams in deep holes or numbers of fish should head to Zorinsky or channel drop offs. Nightcrawlers, stink bait, or Walnut Creek, while anglers targeting larger cut bait are all good bait options. Public access bluegills should try Wehrspann or CenturyLink. on the Platte River can be found at Schilling Largemouth Bass WMA, Louisville SRA, Platte River State Park, Largemouth bass are routinely targeted by Schramm Park SRA, Two Rivers SRA, Platte anglers and are known for their aggressiveness River Landing near Valley, Hormel Park in and fighting ability. Largemouth bass, like Fremont, Bramble WMA, Whitetail WMA, or bluegills and other members of the sunfish Tailrace Park in Columbus. family, prefer clean water and an abundance of The Elkhorn and Missouri Rivers will also shallow water cover. Metro reservoirs such as offer some excellent fishing for channel catfish. Walnut Creek and Wehrspann will offer a good Anglers should be able to catch channel catfish opportunity to catch largemouth bass greater throughout the rivers using variety of baits such than 15 inches. Sand pits, such as those found as nightcrawlers, cut bait, stink bait, or shrimp.

within Louisville SRA, will provide great

opportunity for both numbers and size. Anglers Flathead Catfish asked to report all tagged fish to the Nebraska Game and Parks. Anglers are required to Flathead catfish are a true trophy fish and release all northern pike caught at both provide a great battle on a rod and reel. Cunningham and Lake Wanahoo. Flathead catfish can be found throughout the Missouri, Elkhorn, and Platte Rivers, and Bullheads thanks to the University of Nebraska sampling Bullheads provide a great fishing opportunity crew, we have some catch data from the for beginners and children because they are Missouri River. Areas near the Bartlett, IA or easy to catch and a simple hook and worm is all NP Dodge Park boat ramp look to be good for you need. Catchable sized bullheads are both numbers and large fish. Further to the stocked at state recreation area lakes Louisville south, areas near Indian Cave State Park and No. 2A, Two Rivers No. 6, and Two Rivers No. Peru Bottoms will also provide anglers a chance 7. at some larger fish. The University of Nebraska is also conducting a tagging study on channel Rainbow Trout and flathead catfish and asks all anglers to Although the Omaha metro doesn’t have report tagged fish to the phone number on the cold-water streams that support trout, there is tag. still plenty of opportunity in and around Omaha to catch them. Rainbow trout are routinely stocked at Two Rivers No. 5, Standing Bear, Other Species Benson Lake, Hitchcock Lake, Towl Lake, Lake Walleye Halleck, and CenturyLink Lake (Qwest Lake).

Anglers targeting walleyes in the Omaha Shovelnose Sturgeon metro will want to try Wehrspann and Shovelnose sturgeon, the smallest sturgeon Cunningham. The Missouri River will also species found in North America, are a unique provide opportunity to catch walleye or sauger. and ancient looking fish. Shovelnose sturgeon Anglers looking for good large-reservoir walleye can be found in the Platte, Elkhorn, and fishing opportunities should look into the Missouri Rivers. The University of Nebraska has statewide fishing forecast. been researching shovelnose sturgeon in the Blue Catfish lower Platte River for the last few years and Blue catfish can be found in Wehrspann as provided us with some catch data. Anglers well as the Platte, Elkhorn, and Missouri Rivers. targeting shovelnose sturgeon should try nightcrawlers on channel drop offs or areas of Northern Pike shallow swift current, and will have their best Around 1,300 ten-inch northern pike were chance at Schillling WMA, the Louisville area, stocked into Cunningham reservoir in late 2012 or near Ashland. The University of Nebraska is and will provide a unique fishing experience in also conducting a tagging study and asks all the Omaha metro in years to come. anglers to report tagged fish to the phone Lake Wanahoo will also provide a unique number on the tag. fishing opportunity to catch northern pike in Eastern Nebraska. The northern pike tagging study will continue in 2013 and anglers are

* 2011 Survey