Fishing Cat Lake in Sheridan County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Cat Lake sits in Sheridan County, out in Nebraska. The setting is lake country bush on every side. About 12 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Sheridan County standards. Nearest place of any size is Alliance, 21 miles away. The big place round here is Greeley, 163 miles distant. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Cat Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name white sucker, brown trout, rock bass and yellow perch. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The shape of Cat Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 73°F and January at 23°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Look for the thaw near mid March; the fishing lifts straight after. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid March and starts locking again about early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Cat Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Cook Lake at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Cat Lake.