Fishing Kratochvil Reservoir in Butler County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Kratochvil Reservoir falls in Butler County, part of Nebraska. It sits in pine and birch country. At 5 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Seward is the closest place, 9.9 miles off. David City is 16 miles away, with Milford at 19 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Kratochvil Reservoir

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Records held for Butler County cover common carp, green sunfish, tadpole madtom and black bullhead. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. The near bank of Kratochvil Reservoir is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 76°F and January at 22°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid March. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid March until roughly mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Kratochvil Reservoir runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Morovec Reservoir, 3.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat Kratochvil Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.