MCCONAUGHY LAKE LAKE 2019-86808 2020 lake McConaughy Brochure.indd 1 4/9/2020 10:32:00 AM 2019-86808 2020 lake McConaughy Brochure.indd 2 OutdoorNebraska.org 2019-86808 af 4/18 af 2019-86808 Piping plover Piping National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Code 0008, Washington, D.C. 20240-0001. D.C. Washington, 0008, Code Mail NW, Street C 1849 Service, Park National Drive, Arlington, VA 22203; Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of Interior, Interior, of Department U.S. Program, Opportunity Equal Director, 22203; VA Arlington, Drive, 402-471-4693; United States Fish Wildlife Service, Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401 N. Fairfax Fairfax N. 4401 Coordinator, Rights Civil Service, Wildlife Fish States United 402-471-4693; TTY/TDD 402-471-2024, NE Lincoln, Commission, Opportunity Equal the 402-471-0641, facility, or service, should contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE NE Lincoln, Commission, Parks and Game Nebraska the contact should service, or facility, person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, activity, program, any in against discriminated been has she or he believes who person religion, age, gender, marital status, national origin, age, disability or political affiliation. Any Any affiliation. political or disability age, origin, national status, marital gender, age, religion, States Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, color, race, of basis the on discrimination unlawful prohibits Service Wildlife and Fish States Any program that receives federal funding from the National Park Service, or the United United the or Service, Park National the from funding federal receives that program Any Email: [email protected] Email: 308-284-8800 Phone: 1475 Hwy 61N / Ogallala, NE 69153-5930 NE Ogallala, / 61N Hwy 1475 State Recreation Area Recreation State Lake McConaughy McConaughy Lake permit vendors permit • From Game and Parks permitting offices or or offices permitting Parks and Game From • • At the park the At • • At OutdoorNebraska.org At • vehicles entering the park. Permits can be purchased: be can Permits park. the entering vehicles A valid Nebraska Park Entry Permit is required for all all for required is Permit Entry Park Nebraska valid A MORE INFORMATION MORE signs, and keep all pets on leashes. on pets all keep and signs, avoid marked or fenced-off nesting areas of beach, obey all all obey beach, of areas nesting fenced-off or marked avoid dogs) are reminded to give them a wide berth. Visitors must must Visitors berth. wide a them give to reminded are dogs) that make their nests along the shoreline. Visitors (and their their (and Visitors shoreline. the along nests their make that endangered Interior Least Tern and threatened Piping Plover Plover Piping threatened and Tern Least Interior endangered that make their home at Lake McConaughy, especially the the especially McConaughy, Lake at home their make that Remember to share the shoreline with the many bird species species bird many the with shoreline the share to Remember SHARE THE SHORELINE THE SHARE and others seeking outdoor fun. outdoor seeking others and swimmers, water skiers, picnickers, scuba divers, hunters hunters divers, scuba picnickers, skiers, water swimmers, are a favorite with campers, sailboaters, wind surfers, surfers, wind sailboaters, campers, with favorite a are recreation. Big Mac’s white sand beaches and clear waters waters clear and beaches sand white Mac’s Big recreation. residents of neighboring states as a great place for outdoor outdoor for place great a as states neighboring of residents STATE RECREATION AREA RECREATION STATE and Parks Commission and is known to most Nebraskans and and Nebraskans most to known is and Commission Parks and State Recreation Area is managed by the Nebraska Game Game Nebraska the by managed is Area Recreation State Located 8 miles northeast of Ogallala, Lake McConaughy McConaughy Lake Ogallala, of northeast miles 8 Located MCCONAUGHY Even its nickname, “Big Mac,” reflects its size. size. its reflects Mac,” “Big nickname, its Even to trophy proportions, accounting for several state records. records. state several for accounting proportions, trophy to among the largest of its type in the world; and its fish grow grow fish its and world; the in type its of largest the among surface acres it is Nebraska’s largest reservoir; its dam is is dam its reservoir; largest Nebraska’s is it acres surface LAKE LAKE Nearly everything about Lake McConaughy is big. At 30,000 30,000 At big. is McConaughy Lake about everything Nearly LAKE MCCONAUGHY SRA MCCONAUGHY LAKE CAMPING BOATING substantial numbers of Canada geese, which can be hunted from public blinds. Other parts of the Wildlife Lake McConaughy offers visitors many ways to camp, As Nebraska’s largest reservoir, Lake McConaughy is a Management Area offer excellent hunting for deer, from Primitive camping along the shoreline on the white prime destination for water sports recreation. Whether you pheasants, turkey and small game. After Labor Day, parts sandy beaches to Full Hookup camping in Little Thunder enjoy water skiing and tubing, sailboating, parasailing or of the Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area are open and Lone Eagle campgrounds. Other camping amenities fishing, the Lake’s 30,000 surface acres provide plenty of to hunting, as well. include Electric Plus and Basic camping, along with space for these and other activities. Bring your own boat or modern restrooms and coin operated shower house personal watercraft or rent one from a private outfitter. LAKE AREA FACILITIES facilities and dump and fill stations. If wind curtails fishing, skiing, sailing and other water sports Befitting its status as one of Nebraska’s top vacation spots, Reservations for Little Thunder, Lone Eagle and Lake on the big lake, all is not lost. Lake Ogallala, located below the Lake McConaughy / Keith County area offers a wide variety Ogallala campgrounds may be made online, by phone or in dam, is often sheltered from the wind. Some of Lake Mac’s of lodging, dining and recreational opportunities. Visitors person at the park office during business hours. Overnight bays also may remain calm on windy afternoons. can stay in cabins or motel rooms, stake out a spot on the camping fees apply. To make reservations online, go to white sand beach or choose a modern campsite with all the OutdoorNebraska.org. Phone reservations can be made VISITOR AND WATER amenities. A variety of restaurants in the area will serve through the Nebraska Game and Parks call center at INTERPRETIVE CENTER your meal, or you can cook your own food over an open 402-471-1414. The call center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. campfire. To pursue the options available to you in this area, Central Time, Monday – Friday (closed on holidays). The Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretative including boat and watercraft rentals, parasailing, golfing Center is one-quarter mile south of Kingsley Dam on and guides to take you fishing, visit ilovelakemac.com. FISHING Highway 61. The Visitor Center makes a great first stop Fishing has long been a favorite activity at Lake upon arrival as it houses the park office, gift shop and NEARBY ATTRACTIONS public restrooms, and offers a beautiful view of the lake. McConaughy, with its cool, clear, deep waters. Game fish Ash Hollow State Historical Park is a must-see when species include walleye, channel catfish, northern pike, Nebraska park permits, fishing and hunting licenses and helpful information to enhance your visit are all available visiting Lake McConaughy. Ash Hollow is west of the lake wiper, white bass and smallmouth bass. The area has four on U.S. Highway 26 and was an important stopping point fish cleaning stations located at Martin Bay, Otter Creek, here. The center also houses two 1,000-gallon aquariums, as well as state-of-the-art interactive educational exhibits on the Oregon/California Trail. Ruts of covered wagons Lake Ogallala and Cedar View. The area offers several carrying westbound immigrants on the Overland Trail can boat ramps with docks, depending upon water level. depicting the story of water in Nebraska and the history, hydrology and geology of the North Platte River Valley still be seen, and prehistoric cave dwellings have been Contact the Visitor’s Center for ramp availability. Fuel and preserved. Ash Hollow’s visitor center offers displays boat rental are available from vendors around the lake. and Lake McConaughy. Learn about the construction of Kingsley Dam made from original photos and 8mm footage and information on the area’s rich history. The grounds at Lake Ogallala is well-known for its quality fishery, and in the Ethel S. Abbott Theater. Ash Hollow offer over 2 miles of scenic hiking trails and a rainbow trout are among the species most popular with designated area for equestrian riding. anglers. In addition to rainbow trout, anglers may find yellow Looking for a location to host your next meeting? Lake perch, channel catfish and an occasional wiper. McConaughy’s conference room and Ethel S. Abbott Theater VISITORS PLEASE NOTE! are available to rent for meetings and special events. Lake Ogallala has improved bank angler access areas in the • Unlicensed vehicles, including three- and four-wheeled northwest corner, west side and near the Kingsley Hydro HUNTING ATVs, mini-bikes and dirt bikes, are prohibited in the Plant along with a kayak launch dock at the north boat ramp. recreation area. Come fall, Lake McConaughy becomes a prime hunting destination, especially for waterfowl. Clear Creek Wildlife • No alcohol is allowed at Lake McConaughy. Management Area at the west end of the lake attracts 4/9/2020 10:38:48 AM Lake McConaughy white sandy beach Fishing on Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretation Center.