Fishing the Interstate • A Guide to the I-80 Lakes
south shorelines.
Fish species: Largemouth bass,
bluegill, redear sunfi sh, channel catfi sh.
Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, two
angler access platforms.
Directions: From Exit 199 at Brady, go
north on Link 56D to Brady. Turn right
on Highway 30 and go 4.5 miles east.
Turn right on Overpass Road and drive
across the railroad tracks. The road is
just a few yards past mile marker 205.
The WMA is on the right.
GPS coordinates: 40.985679,
-100.301298
Jeff rey Reservoir WMA
This WMA allows access to a 900-
acre, canal-fed lake. Water elevation
is regulated by Central Nebraska
Public Power and Irrigation District
for hydroelectric power generation.
Lake contours and water level
changes make this reservoir diffi cult
to navigate. Much of the shoreline
is inaccessible to the public, as it is
privately managed.
Fish species: Crappie, channel
catfi sh, fl athead catfi sh, bluegill,
walleye, white bass, wiper, freshwater
drum, common carp, sauger.
Amenities: Concrete boat ramp,
angler access platform.
Directions: From Exit 199 at Brady, go
3 miles south to Brady-Moorefi eld Road,
turn right and go 1.5 miles west to the
lake.
GPS coordinates: 40.954463,
-100.398272
East Gothenburg WMA
This 15-acre lake has received
shoreline clearing to improve bank
access.
Fish species: Largemouth bass,
crappie, redear sunfi sh, sunfi sh hybrid,
channel catfi sh.
Amenities: Articulated mat concrete
boat ramp.
Directions: From Exit 211 at
Gothenburg, go south on Highway 47 a
short distance to Willow Island Road.
Turn left and follow the road, which
parallels I-80, about 4 miles east to the
WMA.
GPS coordinates: 40.888257,
-100.106241
Willow Island WMA
This area has a 24-acre lake and
access to the Platte River.
Fish species: Largemouth bass,
bluegill, channel catfi sh, common carp,
crappie, bullhead, gar.
Amenities: Primitive boat ramp.
Directions: From Exit 222 at Cozad,
go about 1 mile north to Highway 30.
Turn left and go about 5 miles west to
County Road 416. Turn left and go 1
mile south, crossing the I-80 overpass
to the lake.
GPS coordinates: 40.876829,
-100.070489
West Cozad WMA
This 18-acre lake has clear water and
abundant aquatic vegetation.
Fish species: Largemouth bass,
bluegill.
Biologists electrofi sh at West Brady WMA to help manage the fi shery.
JULIE GEISER, NEBRASKALAND
