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/831879
76 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2017 Fishing in the Southwest A summer profile of six reservoirs in this Nebraska region. By Julie Geiser S outhwestern Nebraska offers six large reservoirs where the camping is modern or primitive, the activities are endless and the fishing is unique. Medicine Creek or Harry Strunk Reservoir State Recreation Area has been great for fishing as water levels are at 100 percent. The reservoir has three public boat ramp areas and many bays to catch pan-size to trophy catfish of any species. Blue catfish were stocked in 2015 and are growing. Medicine Creek is known for its naturally reproducing channel catfish along with stocked walleye and wipers. Four public cabins are available for rent at Medicine Creek along with ample camping and amenities. Red Willow is back after the water levels were drawn down in 2009 to allow for dam repairs, which were completed in late 2013. Water levels are at 44 percent and still increasing. Wipers, white crappie, walleye, northern pike, white bass, channel catfish and largemouth bass survived the drawdown and additional fish were stocked in 2015 – good survival, productivity and growth is expected. A public fishing pier and two boat ramp areas are available. Camping is available at two campgrounds offering 35- and 50-amp hookups for modern camping. Tent camping areas are also available. Fishing at Enders Reservoir will be comparable to years since 2014, when water levels were dropped as part of the Republican River Compact. Water levels are at 20 percent and will likely fall throughout the summer as water is sent to Kansas. The lake is stocked with walleye, white bass and channel catfish at rates that reflect the current water levels. There is one primitive, gravel launching area at No Name Bay. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Larger boats will struggle to launch from this area. Enders has upgraded modern camping with several amenities. Rock Creek SRA is a hidden treasure of the southwest. Tiger, brown and rainbow trout grown at the adjacent Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery are stocked at the lake and provide anglers an excellent opportunity to catch multiple trout species year-round. Largemouth bass grow big in the backwaters of Rock Creek, and the lake was stocked with rock bass and channel catfish in 2016. Primitive camping areas are tucked away at this area, but there is plenty of space and beautiful sceneries at Rock Creek. Swanson Reservoir has been stocked with blue catfish, some of which are reaching the 28-inch mark, making for excellent trophy fishing. Walleye, wipers, white bass and channel catfish are also at Swanson. There are two boat ramps available and the water levels are at 57 percent. Swanson has several primitive camping locations along its many boundaries and off trails three, four and seven. Two modern campgrounds have electric hookups and amenities. Harlan County Reservoir has three fish species that drive the system: walleye, white bass and channel catfish. Walleye are stocked annually as fry. Channel catfish have been stocked at Harlan Reservoir to boost populations as needed. When water levels are high, the crappie, northern pike and largemouth bass fishing peaks as these shoreline species are dependent on higher water levels and shoreline habitat for reproduction and survival. Largemouth and pike are stocked when water levels are high to boost their population. Water levels are at 72 percent and will continue to rise. Camping at Harlan County Reservoir is managed by the Corps of Engineers. There are several modern camping areas and places around the perimeter of the reservoir to camp. A Nebraska Park Entry Permit is not required to camp at Harlan but camping fees are enforced. Several boat ramps are available at Gremlin, Methodist and Patterson Coves. Water level measurements in this article were recorded at the end of April 2017 and are ever-changing. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has no management authority over water levels, but the Commission's fisheries division does establish fish stockings for each public water body across the state. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for an updated list of stockings and the latest sampling reports. Be sure to purchase a 2017 Park Permit before you visit any SRA. Out-of-state boaters will need to purchase a Nonresident Aquatic Invasive Stamp (AIS) for their boats. The stamp is available online at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website along with more information about each reservoir at OutdoorNebraska.org. ■ RED WILLOW SRA – PHOTO BY JULIE GEISER