Bellwood Reservoir 5-K in Butler County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Bellwood Reservoir 5-K belongs to Butler County, Nebraska. It sits at 1,499 feet above sea level. It covers about 5 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. For supplies, David City is 5.1 miles out. The nearest city of size is Lincoln, 45 miles away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off. Quiet on weekdays, busier when the weather turns fine.

• Where to Fish on Bellwood Reservoir 5-K

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Records held for Butler County cover common carp, green sunfish and tadpole madtom. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Anyone new to this water should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 22°F and July at about 76°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid March. Break-up sits around mid March on average, with the water closing again about mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Expect this water to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Bellwood Reservoir 5-G, 0.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Ask locally about this water if anything is unclear.