Fishing Branched Oak Lake

AKA: Branched Oak Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Branched Oak Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Branched Oak Lake, NE

Popular Fish Species Branched Oak Lake, NE

Branched Oak Lake Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

The state record for both species exceed 4 pounds, so crappie grow big in Nebraska. With a history of good crappie fishing, Branched Oak Lake continues to impress crappie enthusiasts this year. Light line and small hooks are key when fishing live bait. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Branched Oak Lake Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

Branched Oak Lake offers very good channel catfish fishing these days. The typical fish are about 3 to 8 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. For weekend anglers, most any rod and reel will work for catching channel catfish, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment enhances success, especially when you hook one of the big boys. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. The state record channel catfish is over 40 pounds, and Branched Oak Lake holds some pretty big ones. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Branched Oak Lake Popular Fish - Walleye

Walleye Fishing

Decent schools of walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Branched Oak Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Branched Oak Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, white perch and wiper at Branched Oak Lake in Nebraska.

The largest of the Salt Valley lakes, Branched Oak Lake is a 2,000 surface-acre lake, with 20 miles of shoreline. Excellent catfish and crappie fishing are the main draw for anglers. The lake also has healthy populations of bass, walleye and sunfish. Plenty of access to the lake makes this an easy lake to fish from shore. Branched Oak Marina offers boat rentals, slips, boating gear and fishing tackle. The Boat House Bar & Grill offers a varied menu for hungry vacationers.

Primary fish species residing in Branched Oak Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Branched Oak Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: SEVERAL
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Branched Oak Marina
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats
402 783-3311

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Area Eleven Campground Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, north side, off W Davey Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Area Six Campground Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off W Branched Oak Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Branched Oak State Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off N 126th Street, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Homestead Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off W Raymond Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Middle Oak Creek Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off W Branched Oak Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Branched Oak Marina
10001 W. Davey Road
Raymond, NE 68428
402 783-3311