Fishing at Chain Lake, Holt County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Chain Lake sits within Holt County in Nebraska. It stands 2,234 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 199 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The bank runs about 2.2 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. On our Holt County list it sits near the top for size. Nearest town is Burwell, 26 miles off. O'Neill is 27 miles away, with Atkinson at 30 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Chain Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name common carp, green sunfish and white sucker. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Chain Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 21°F in January up to 74°F in July. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Look for the thaw near late March; the fishing lifts straight after. The season between ice runs from about late March to early December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It sets the rhythm of the year at Chain Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Sunfish Lake sits 2.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Chain Lake are worth checking on the day.