Jeffrey Reservoir, Nebraska: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Out in Lincoln County, Nebraska, sits Jeffrey Reservoir. The ground around here is pine and birch. This is sizeable water at about 605 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. Shoreline length is close to 9.2 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. It ranks among the bigger water on our Nebraska list. Some 13 miles away sits Gothenburg, the nearest settlement. North Platte is 22 miles away, with Cozad at 23 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Jeffrey Reservoir

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Lincoln County records list common carp, white sucker, flathead catfish, green sunfish and bluegill among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Treat Jeffrey Reservoir as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 74°F in July and bottoms out near 24°F in January. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. After mid March the shallows warm and the fish move up. The water is typically free of ice between mid March and mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That shapes the year on Jeffrey Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The water borders Jeffrey Canyon State Wildlife Management Area, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Lake Helen, 13 miles away. Rules at Jeffrey Reservoir are worth checking on the day.