Fishing at Dahlheimer Reservoir, Dawes County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Dahlheimer Reservoir belongs to Dawes County, Nebraska. The water sits 3,560 feet up. The water measures roughly 11 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Nearest town is Chadron, 22 miles off. Hot Springs lies 42 miles off, Oglala another 43 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing. The shoreline gives more room than the map suggests.

• Where to Fish on Dahlheimer Reservoir

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Survey and observation records for Dawes County include brown trout, brook trout, white sucker and bluegill. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Dahlheimer Reservoir where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 73°F; the cold one sits at 24°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid March. Expect the water usable from around mid March until roughly early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Dahlheimer Reservoir around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Big Cottonwood Allot 1 Reservoir at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Dahlheimer Reservoir.