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/1493730
March 2023 • Nebraskaland 57 water that is manageable for the species of fish you covet. Then, if the fish aren't cooperating, pretend you're fishing a gigantic waterbody and move to a new location. But instead of relocating to a new area at a lake, simply grab a drink and some chips at the nearest gas station and head toward home. Stop at the next lake, then rinse and repeat. One last road trip is a modified version, yet works the same way. Several years back, Dad and I were on another trip, this time to the Black Hills, to trout fish. While we had a multitude of successful days stream fishing for brookies and rainbows, it was the "break up the trip" stop we made to the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge when our afternoon pit stop turned into one of the most memorable trips we've ever had. All the way until sunset, gigantic northern pike chased our buzzbaits across the water, a perfect exclamation point for that road trip. Isolation Staying in the Sandhills, I have found no better outdoor thrill than driving down a two-track, knowing there's a gigantic lake over the next hill but worried that — because of its unrivaled beauty and uniquity — the entire lake will be filled with bank and boat anglers, each fighting for a spot to fish. Why wouldn't there be a long waiting line to fish a lake in heaven? Then, something even more magical happens. There's only one other boat on the lake. You have one of the best places in the country to fish all by yourself. That's fishing in the Nebraska Sandhills. I've fished at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge when it was 100 degrees, 0 degrees and every temperature in between. I've caught 20-inch largemouth through the ice and 40-inch pike through the summer bulrushes. I've trolled for northern at Clear Lake, caught trophy bluegill at Pelican and couldn't keep largemouth off of my line at Duck. And the entire time, I felt like my partner and I were the last people on the planet. If you haven't felt like the last person on the planet while wetting a line, it needs to be added to your bucket list. There is no boat beside you. There is no sharing. Everything in the world is yours. One of these Nebraska fishing road trips will suit you perfectly. Just get in the vehicle and drive. You might even find out that sometimes one type of trip quickly changes to another. And for good reason. N The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is one of Nebraska's best fishing locations because of its isolation and chance to catch quality fish, including bluegills. The Interstate 80 lake system provides the perfect one-day road trip where multiple fish species, including smallmouth bass, can be targeted.