Keith County, NE · Reservoir
Lake McConaughy (Ogallala)
Nebraska’s largest reservoir — 30,000 acres of clear water with white-sand beaches behind Kingsley Dam on the North Platte. "Big Mac" is the state’s premier walleye and white-bass fishery, with smallmouth bass on the rock, channel catfish, and yellow perch. Miles of public shoreline and multiple ramps ring the lake.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Walleye, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass & Channel Catfish — tied at the top (43/100)
4 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala).
Fire Weather Watch issued June 5 at 1:34PM CDT until June 6 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala)
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Marginal conditions for Walleye. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 4
Nebraska: 4 walleye/day, 15" minimum, no more than one over 22" (Lake McConaughy and most reservoirs).
Source: Nebraska non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 White Bass Check local White Bass regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 43/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for White Bass in NE on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone chrysops — A hard-fighting open-water schooling bass of big reservoirs and their feeder rivers across the Plains and Midwest. White bass run up tributaries by the thousands to spawn in spring — the run is a calendar event on waters like McConaughy and the Missouri reservoirs — then chase shad in surface-busting "jumps" through summer. Often hybridized with striped bass to make the "wiper." Abundant and lightly regulated, so creel limits are generous or absent.
Prefers. Water 55–80°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 4–30 ft.
No regulations on file for Nebraska non-tidal / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Marginal conditions for Smallmouth Bass. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 5
Nebraska: 5 black bass/day, 15" minimum on most reservoirs.
Source: Nebraska non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Channel Catfish Marginal conditions for Channel Catfish. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
Nebraska: no statewide daily limit on channel catfish.
Source: Nebraska non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#5 Yellow Perch Marginal conditions for Yellow Perch. In season 37/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
Nebraska: no statewide daily limit on yellow perch.
Source: Nebraska non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Nebraska non-tidal
Coordinates
Notes
Nebraska: 4 walleye/day, 15" minimum, no more than one over 22". A state-park entry permit is required for vehicles.
Local reports & rules for Lake McConaughy (Ogallala): Nebraska Game & Parks fishing report → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala)?
Lake McConaughy (Ogallala) is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake McConaughy (Ogallala) have?
Lake McConaughy (Ogallala) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Nebraska: 4 walleye/day, 15" minimum, no more than one over 22". A state-park entry permit is required for vehicles.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala)?
state agency regulations apply at Lake McConaughy (Ogallala). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake McConaughy (Ogallala) tidal water?
No. Lake McConaughy (Ogallala) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.