Fishing Gus Lake in Cherry County, Nebraska

• Overview

  This water sits in Cherry County, Nebraska. Height above sea level is 2,959 feet. Small at around 12 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Most waters listed here for Cherry County are larger. Start from Valentine, 29 miles down the road. Beyond it, Ainsworth at 39 miles and Rosebud at 55 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Gus Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Cherry County include white sucker, common carp and green sunfish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Gus Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 22°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. Ice usually gives way near late March, and forms again about early December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It holds true on Gus Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Coleman Lake is 0.8 miles off. Signs at Gus Lake carry more weight than any list.