28 Nebraskaland • October 2021
White River
This waterway, which begins as a
clear, babbling coldwater stream west
of Fort Robinson, assumes an entirely
diff erent appearance before its turbid
waters enter South Dakota north of
Chadron and fl ow into the Missouri
River 220 miles later.
Those wanting to target trout in
the White River would be wise to
visit the Open Fields and Waters sites
along White River Road west of Fort
Robinson. Brooks, rainbows, cutthroats
and browns all reside in those waters.
Downstream, within the park,
Rydell said anglers fi nd brown trout
and an occasional channel catfi sh,
along with white suckers and creek
chubs. Rydell said the White River's
trout habitat ends in Crawford, where
anglers can access the river at the
city park. East of there, think catfi sh,
suckers and chubs.
Soldier Creek
Three branches of this creek, which
exist on the federal Soldier Creek
Wilderness, merge into one before
entering Fort Robinson.
Both the middle and south forks,
with reproducing populations of
browns and brookies, are popular
among anglers. They can be accessed
from the parking and camping areas
about 6 miles from U.S. Highway 20.
Cutthroats also have been stocked
where the forks unite.
"The further upstream you go, the
better chance you have to get into
brook trout," Rydell said. "The browns
kind of outcompete them in the lower
stretches of each of those branches."
He noted the south fork is a little
easier to fi sh than the middle, with
more pools and accessible spots void
of overhanging vegetation.
The fi shing opportunity for the
5-mile stretch of creek from the Carter
P. Johnson dam to the confl uence of the
White River is limited to whatever fi sh
may escape from the reservoir, he said,
and it is not as popular of a destination
as the upper end on the Wilderness.
Wood Reserve Ponds
When visiting Soldier Creek
Wilderness, it is worth the hike to
these fi ve ponds, each less than a half-
acre, which are heavily stocked with
trout — rainbows, tigers, cutthroats
and brookies. A parking area is located
at the end of Soldier Creek Road, 6.25
miles from U.S. Highway 20. The hike
is another mile, as the crow fl ies, along
the Middle Fork of Soldier Creek.
Lake Crawford
Another site on Fort Robinson that
shows up on maps is Lake Crawford,
which is located between Grabel
Ponds and the community for which it
The Wood Reserve Ponds, situated along the Middle Fork of Soldier Creek on U.S.
Forest Service property west of Fort Robinson, reward anglers who don't mind a
hike.
