Fishing Report For Lake McConaughy, NE

AKA: McConaughy Reservoir

By Rick Seaman

June 9, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Lake McConaughy Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Fishing License
Map
Contact Info

Fishing Report Lake McConaughy, NE

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Lake McConaughy, NE

Walleye

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Very Good To Excellent

Lake McConaughy is one of the best walleye fisheries in the Midwest, and currently holds the state record for walleye, at over 16 pounds. The lake is turning out quality walleye with a reasonable chance to catch a 10 to 12 pound trophy. Spring and Fall are the best season for catching walleye. As the water begin to warm, anglers are finding walleye in the shallows, especially in rocky areas. They have pretty much completed the spawn this Spring, and are moving to flats, shoals and ledges off shore. Throughout Summer, early in the morning and from dusk to long after dark are good times to catch walleye, as they move shallow to feed. They primarily feed on gizzard shad and other small fish, close to the bottom. Bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers are catchin them shallow, as well as in 10 to 15 feet of water when they move off the bank. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are working if they are up shallow. Spinners, jigs, swimbaits, spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners are all working while trolling.

Smallmouth Bass

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Good

With water temperatures in the 50's, smallies are beginning the spawning rituals, with most in the pre-spawn stage. Anglers are finding bass just outside spawning pockets and bays, on points and drop-offs. Mid-range crankbaits, jerkbaits, Ned rigs and tube baits are popular smallie lures here. The average fish is around 1 1/4 pound, but plenty of 2 to 3 pound smallies are being caught. Smallmouth fishing is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days. After the spawn, look for these smallmouth to get aggressive and feed heavily. Early and late in the day topwater can be effective throughout the Summer months.

Hybrid Striped Bass

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Wipers tend to favor warmer water, and have been sluggish through the Winter. They are in process of their annual spawn run, up river, where they will congregate for a couple weeks then migrate back to the main lake and chase schools of shad. Jigs with a variety of plastics, or hair jigs have been catching wipers for anglers fishing from the bank, or from a boat. Most wipers caught here weigh about 2 to 5 pounds, and fish over 10 pounds are not uncommon. Swimbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, spoons, live bait and cut bait are all effective here for hybrid stripers. Their primary diet is the schools of baitfish throughout the lake, and they follow these schools to stay close to food supply. Use electronics and fish finders to locate both bait and wipers.

Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, rainbow trout, white bass, yellow perch, wiper and northern pike at Lake McConaughy in Nebraska.

Lake McConaughy is a 35,700-acre lake with over 75 miles of shoreline. It is home to both largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, white bass, catfish, striped bass, northern pike, perch and wipers. Anglers can find plenty of places for fishing from the bank.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Marinas

Click here for marinas available at this lake.

Fishing License

Click here for a Nebraska Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".