Block Reservoir near Hickman: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Block Reservoir falls in Lancaster County, part of Nebraska. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. This is a pocket water of some 10 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Nearest town is Hickman, 5.3 miles off. Lincoln is 8.8 miles and Crete 14 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Block Reservoir

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. County-wide records name green sunfish, common carp, flathead catfish, bluegill and black bullhead. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Treat Block Reservoir as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 77°F, the coldest about 23°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually goes in mid March, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Break-up near mid March, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Block Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Salt Creek Reservoir 4-A at 3.2 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Block Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.