NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1469065
A Guide to the I-80 Lakes • Fishing the Interstate bluegill, redear sunfi sh, channel catfi sh, rock bass, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, crappie. Amenities: Gravel boat ramp. Directions: From Exit 190 at Maxwell, go south on Link 56A and take the fi rst left turn to enter the area. GPS coordinates: 41.048580, -100.524390 Pawnee Slough WMA This 30-acre lake, located away from the interstate, was created when a Highway 30 overpass was built west of Maxwell. Public access is maintained as a WMA, but NDOT owns the area. The lake's shoreline is less conformed than many I-80 lakes and it has a maximum depth of 10 feet. Vehicle access is limited to the property's northwest portion. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfi sh, channel catfi sh, tiger musky. Amenities: Gravel boat ramp. Directions: From Exit 190 at Maxwell, go north on Link 56A 1.7 miles and turn west onto West Maxwell Street and continue 1 mile to lake entrance on the south. GPS coordinates: 41.083165, -100.543198 Maxwell Rest Stop Westbound I-80 travelers can fi sh the 5-acre lake at this rest area, operated by NDOT. A paved walking path leads from the rest area to the pond, located at the west side of the area. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfi sh, crappie. Amenities: Modern restrooms. Directions: Located 3.5 miles east of Exit 190 (Maxwell) at the westbound I-80 rest area near milepost 194. GPS coordinates: 41.036422, -100.467729 West Brady WMA This 6-acre lake's fi shery has catch- and-release regulation for all species. Vehicle access is restricted to the south shoreline. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfi sh, crappie, crappie hybrid, redear sunfi sh. Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, two angler access platforms. Directions: From Exit 199 at Brady, go north 0.5 miles to East Island Road. Turn left and go 2.5 miles west, crossing the I-80 overpass to the lake. GPS coordinates: 41.016175, -100.417342 Brady WMA This 25-acre lake has a maximum depth of approximately 14 feet. Vehicle access is limited to the south shoreline. Fish species: Crappie, crappie hybrid, fl athead catfi sh, channel catfi sh, largemouth bass, bluegill, smallmouth bass. Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, three angler access platforms. Directions: From Exit 199 at Brady, go south a short distance to the fi rst left turn into the WMA. GPS coordinates: 40.998403, -100.375828 West Gothenburg WMA This 15-acre lake has a maximum depth of approximately 17 feet. Vehicle access is restricted to the east and This lake at West Brady WMA is another sandpit lake formed by excavation of sand and soil to build the Interstate. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND