Collier Lake Fishing in Cherry County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Collier Lake is one of the Cherry County listings for Nebraska. The water sits 3,510 feet up. At about 44 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The bank runs about 1.1 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Gordon lies 51 miles from the water. After that come Valentine at 61 miles and Martin at 62 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Collier Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Cherry County names white sucker, common carp, green sunfish, rock bass and redfin pickerel. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Anyone new to Collier Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 22°F in January and 72°F in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Count the season from break-up, usually late March. In an average year the thaw lands around late March and the freeze near early December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Collier Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Tree Lake, 1.9 miles away. Signs at Collier Lake carry more weight than any list.