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Where to Fish

Nebraska’s landscape is dotted with lakes, rivers and streams, providing plentiful and diverse fishing opportunities for experienced anglers, beginners and everyone in between.

Our recommendations

Want to take the easy route? Read our best-of lists to help you plan your next fishing outing, alone or with family or friends.

Anglers fish from a boat at dusk in the Nebraska sandhills.

Top places to fish

Year after year, some lakes put out the biggest, funnest fish to catch. Discover the water bodies across the state of Nebraska that have consistently proven to be the best fishing spots.

Five family members fish on the bank of a lake as a sailboat passes on a clear summer day.

Family-friendly lakes

Family-friendly lakes have great fish-catching potential. These locations have a combination of barrier-free fishing access, groomed park areas, concessions, playgrounds, picnic shelters and highly maintained fish populations.

Accessible fishing spots

Whether you want to catch trout, bass, bluegill, northern pike or catfish, a lake near you with fishing accommodations will likely include one or several of these fish species. Americans with Disabilities Act-approved fishing piers, trails, boat launch facilities and parking accommodations are included where appropriate in all recent and new aquatic habitat, angler access and sportfish restoration projects. Other lakes may have older handicap accommodations.

Contact your local Game and Parks office or see the current fishing guide to inquire about these opportunities.

Area Guides

A wide breadth of fishing opportunities exist across Nebraska. From bluegill in Omaha’s urban lakes to brook trout in the Pine Ridge streams of the panhandle, Nebraska has what you’re fishing for. Reference the following guides for fishing opportunities east to west.

Trip planners

Find additional ways to fish the metro part of the state with our Nebraska Game and Parks trip planners.

Fishing Permits

Purchase stamps, resident and non-resident fishing permits here.