Trout Fishing in Nebraska’s Streams A large brown trout is pulled from the south fork of the Dismal River in Hooker County. Trout in Nebraska Though few anglers associate trout fishing trout is 20 pounds and 1 ounce. The fish with Nebraska, some historical accounts, was taken from the Snake River in 1973 on but little scientific evidence, indicate a grasshopper. cutthroat trout might have been native to northern streams now within the state’s Rainbow Trout borders. Most Nebraska anglers recognize Today, three species of trout, all imports, rainbow trout. In 2000 the Nebraska Game live in Nebraska. The brown trout (Salmo Marked by prominent spots, often red or and Parks Commission stocked 60,060 orange and accented with halos, brown trutta) was introduced from Europe, the keeper rainbows through its Urban Fisheries rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was trout (Salmo trutta) are more wary and and Winter Trout Fishing programs. adaptable than brook or rainbow trout. imported from the West Coast, and the Rainbows are also stocked at a popular brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) was Browns reproduce in Nebraska streams put-and-take trout lake at Two Rivers State that have adequate deposits of gravel. brought from the East Coast. Recreation Area near Venice, in Lake Most of Nebraska’s trout-supporting Ogallala, and in Panhandle ponds and pits. streams flow through private land in the Rainbow trout are also present in northern and western areas of the state; numerous streams where they naturally anglers must receive landowner permission reproduce at varying levels depending on to fish in streams on private property. available spawning gravel and the quality of However, there are some public-access the habitat. areas that offer quality trout fishing in The rainbow is torpedo-shaped. It has a Nebraska. short head and short tail, which is slightly Identified by the small black spots on the Trout require the right habitat to live and forked in adult fish. Its back is dark green reproduce. Trout streams must have clean, entire tail, dorsal fins and side, and by and the color fades to silver on the sides the pink lateral band, the rainbow trout cold water, vegetated banks, and a tree and turns to a light-yellow or cream on the canopy to maintain cool water temperatures (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a mainstay in belly. A contrasting stripe ranging from coldwater lakes and streams in northern on sunny summer days. Some Sandhills pink to bright red runs horizontally along trout streams lack tree cover. To compensate, and western Nebraska. In waters with little the lateral line on its sides from head to tail. or no natural reproduction, rainbows are they are fed by numerous coldwater springs It is speckled with black spots on the body, seasonally stocked from Game and Parks and streams, which add cool water to the the tail and dorsal, or top, fins. Commission hatcheries. flows, maintaining acceptable temperatures. An active fish, the rainbow well deserves Several Nebraska streams have naturally its reputation as a wild, cartwheeling fighter reproducing brown trout populations, and when hooked. brook trout maintain their numbers through A Nebraska record 14-pound, 2-ounce natural reproduction in some Pine Ridge rainbow trout was taken from a Keith streams. Because rainbows spawn mainly County canal in 1975 on a nightcrawler. in late winter and early spring, few streams have self-sustaining rainbow populations. Most Nebraska waters that have rainbow Brook Trout The brook trout is Nebraska’s least trout depend on regular stockings of The colorful brook trout abundant and smallest trout species – the hatchery-raised fish. (Salvelinus fontinalis), which usually state record tipping the scales at only grows to a maximum of about 10 inches 5 pounds, 1 ounce. It is also the least in Nebraska streams with naturally Brown Trout adaptable, requiring streams with moderate The brown trout is Nebraska’s most reproducing populations, is a trophy at current and cold, crystal-clear water that any size. Small Sandhills and Pine Ridge abundant trout species in streams. It is the sunlight can easily penetrate, promoting the toughest and most adaptable of the trout; it coldwater streams, including growth of aquatic vegetation. Most small, Soldier Creek above Fort Robinson tolerates warmer and less clear water than meandering Pine Ridge streams fit that State Park, harbor brook trout either rainbows or brookies. The brown trout category perfectly, especially the headwaters populations. also can grow faster and live longer than of larger streams where brook trout thrive. the state’s other trout species. Often found FISH ART BY DUANE RAVER, UNITED STATES The brook trout is the most colorful FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE in rivers and streams, browns reproduce trout. It is easily identified by the beautiful naturally if gravel deposits are present. red spots with blue aureoles (or halos) The brown is a handsome trout. The on its sides, the dark, wavy lines (called light brown on its back turns to a lighter vermiculations) and forest-green swirls yellow-brown on its sides and belly. It has on its back and dorsal fin, and by the pink was among the most sought-after fish in the prominent black spots, and red or orange or reddish color of the lower fins that are country, and it is said to be responsible for spots accented with halos on its back, sides delicately edged with white. Brook trout are the popularity of trout fishing in the United and dorsal fin. The tail fin is usually free of at their most colorful during the spawning States. Though brookies were widespread spots. season, which occurs from mid-September in the 1880s, their numbers and availability The brown trout is most at home in to late-October. The tail, or caudal fin, is have dwindled, primarily because pollution, streams that offer protection of abundant, very slightly forked, sometimes appearing silty conditions and warm water temperatures dark hiding places, such as undercut banks, BOB GRIER to be almost square, accounting for its have reduced suitable habitat. tree branches hanging into the water and nickname, “squaretail.” The state record brook was taken from fallen logs. In the early 19th century, the brook trout Pawnee Springs near North Platte in 1965. The Nebraska state record for a brown NEBRASKAland Magazine ● Trout Fishing in Nebraska’s Streams 3 Pine Ridge Pine Ridge streams flow slowly through the rough, wooded country in the Brown and brook trout. northwestern Panhandle. Narrow and shallow, these cold, clear waters The creek is accessible only by private are spring-fed and lined with dense vegetation. Often small enough for an access; landowner permission is required. This small, low-flow stream contains angler to step across, these streams are home to brook and brown trout. 6.9 miles of trout-supporting water. Its The best fishing usually occurs during the spring and again in the fall. trout habitat and spawning gravel are rated fair, but the stream has a few deep holes, which support a population of naturally occasional flash floods, Monroe Creek has Monroe Creek reproducing brown trout. The creek is northwest of Harrison in about 5 miles of trout-supporting waters. Sioux County. The best trout habitat is on the public area Brook trout. of the stream and a mile below. Because it West Hat Creek There is public access for about 1 mile on is small, the stream cannot support heavy The creek begins about 4.5 miles east of Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area fishing pressure. Harrison in Sioux County. (WMA). The rest of the creek is Brook trout. accessible only through private property Private access only, permission required. Sowbelly Creek West Hat Creek is a small stream containing and landowner permission is required. This creek is northeast of Harrison in 4.5 miles of trout-supporting water. This Because of normal low-water flows and Sioux County. SIOUX 2 DAWES Oglala National Grassland eek 71 Warbonnet Cr H a t k e C e r r C e e e k o r n o Whitney M ek Gilbert- e Baker r C E r ve y a i WMA l k R 20 l e s e e e t it dl r e b H id F h M o W w C a r o k Fort t t S S a o C ldi Robinson H r e r e t C State s e re e e k So ldier k uth Fork So Cree Park W k E So a Harrison ld W s i Crawford t Soldier er C e A ree s k s W Creek Ponderosa t h h A i C t Wilderness WMA s e h R r iv er C e Petersen S r e q e k u e WMA aw k C r e e k ALL MAPS BY MELE KONEYA, NGPC GIS OFFICE 1” = approximately 5.3 miles 4 NEBRASKAland Magazine ● Trout Fishing in Nebraska’s Streams stream supports a self-sustaining brook trout population, but its small size and low flows limit productivity. East Hat Creek East Hat Creek begins about 6 miles east of Harrison in Sioux County. Brown and brook trout. There is no public access. Permission is required to enter private land. East Hat Creek has about 5.5 miles of trout- supporting water. Because of limited stream flows and occasional flooding, the creek provides only fair trout fishing. Currently, BOB GRIER brown trout is the most common species, but an effort to establish a brook trout population is underway. Fly-fishing equipment is nestled in an antler found near a Pine Ridge stream.