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 Amenities: Gravel boat ramp. Directions: From Exit 257 at Elm Creek, go south a short distance on Highway 183 to the fi rst right turn. GPS coordinates: 40.687471, -99.382925 Sandy Channel SRA This SRA has six lakes, totaling 52 acres. The largest lake has excellent water clarity and is often used by scuba divers. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfi sh, rock bass, crappie, yellow perch, common carp, walleye (Lake 8), muskellunge (Lake 8). Amenities: Concrete boat ramps on lakes 2, 4 and 8; accessible fi shing piers on lakes 4 and 8. Directions: From Exit 257 at Elm Creek, go 2 miles south on Highway 183 and look for the park entrance on the left. GPS coordinates: 40.668388, -99.379785 Coot Shallows WMA This 12-acre lake provides excellent largemouth bass angling. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfi sh, crappie. Amenities: Improved boat ramp. Directions: From Exit 263 at Odessa, go north on Link 10B about 0.7 miles, then turn left on 11th Road and go 1.8 miles west to Daykin Road. Turn left. The WMA is a short distance ahead on the right. GPS coordinates: 40.684382, -99.293481 Union Pacifi c SRA This 15-acre lake has great shoreline access and clear water. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfi sh, crappie, rock bass. Amenities: Gravel boat ramp, modern restrooms. Directions: From Exit 263 at Odessa, go north a short distance on Link 10B to the fi rst right turn. GPS coordinates: 40.678915, -99.253009 East Odessa WMA This WMA has a 7-acre lake but can be diffi cult to reach when the minimum-maintenance access road is wet. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfi sh. Amenities: Platte River access. Directions: From Exit 263 at Odessa, travel south to the fi rst left turn, Wildwood Road. Follow this dirt road, traveling parallel to I-80 for 4.5 miles to the area. GPS coordinates: 40.670505, -99.164810 Kearney Eastbound I-80 Rest Area A 1-acre pond can be found at this NDOT rest area. Camping and boating are not allowed. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, redear sunfi sh, channel catfi sh. Amenities: Modern restrooms. Directions: From Exit 263 at Odessa, go about 3 miles east on I-80 to rest area. GPS coordinates: 40.670577, -99.157959 Cottonmill Lake Owned by the City of Kearney, this 43-acre lake is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily. It has excellent water quality and provides a great family fi shing spot. Boating is restricted to 5 mph. Fish species: Crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfi sh, northern pike, walleye. Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, fi shing jetties, modern restrooms. Directions: From Exit 272 at Kearney, go 1 mile north on Highway 44 to 11th Street. Turn left and go 2 miles west to 30th Avenue. Turn right and go 1 mile north to 24th Street. Turn left and go about 1.3 miles west to Cottonmill Avenue. Turn right and go 0.25 miles north to the park. GPS coordinates: 40.703619, -99.146734 Kearney Westbound 1-80 Rest Area This NDOT rest area has a 7-acre A young boy and his dad fi sh from the bank at Fort Kearny SRA. JULIE GEISER, NEBRASKALAND