Changing weather fronts moving through the region has created a challenge for anglers who are getting out there and wetting a line.
We had some increase in fishing activity with the warmer weather but is has slowed down with our blizzard and colder temperatures. We are in a typical Nebraska spring weather cycle.
The forecast for the rest of the week and weekend look good and fishing activity should pick up.
You can still catch fish when the action slows — you just need to adjust your tactics. Remember that fish are a bit lethargic in cold water. Fish really don’t want to move much.
You need to get a good bait choice right in front of them and hold it there to entice a bite. My recommendation is to use smaller bait, fish slower and fish a little deeper.
Consider the biology involved in fishing right now — many of the food sources that fish rely on are just hatching and starting to grow now. Fish are pre-programmed by instinct to look for smaller food sources at this time of the year.
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Over at Lake McConaughy, walleye anglers are getting out and catching a few small males. Slow trolling a Lindy Rig or drifting a slip bobber set up tipped with a minnow may be the best technique to use at this time.
At Lake Ogallala, trout fishing is picking up. Salmon eggs and Power Bait are good choices right now in the little lake.
The NPPD Canal below the lake is producing some trout. Try Power Bait here.
Trout can be found in the North Platte River below the dam and are biting on small spinners, doll flies and drifted minnows may be the best baits to try here.
Sutherland Reservoir has a few anglers are getting on the water. Walleye anglers are concentrating around “the bubble” but action has been slow. The inlet has produced a few catches of walleye before the blizzard.
There is some angling activity picking up at Lake Maloney in the inlet and outlet areas. Small spinner baits and jigs are working in these areas. Live bait may have an edge at the outlet.
If you do get a boat in the lake, look for the walleye holding on the flats and holding in 10 to 12 feet of water. Lindy rigs tipped with small minnows would be a good choice.
Use your sonar to find some fish along the old channel that runs from the inlet to the outlet. Anchor and just cast with a very slow retrieve or set up a drift over the spot you’ve found. These techniques may be the best ways to catch these fish.
Looking east of town at the Tri-County Canal System, some walleye and sauger are being caught below the checks in the slack water and eddies.
Live baits rigged to be on the bottom are catching most of these fish.
Nebraska’s spring archery turkey season has opened for archers. I have seen a few younger toms beginning to strut and do some sparing this week. That tells me it is definitely turkey hunting season!
Shotgunners need to be getting their gear ready to go. The youth shotgun season begins April 6, and the regular shotgun season starts April 13.
Gun show
Mark your calendars if, the 26th Annual Kearney Gun Show will be April 20-21 at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds Expo Center.
I’m told they are over 400 tables for this event. Admission is $5. Call Brent Johnson at 308-440-8177 for more information.
Enjoy your time in the outdoors this weekend.