Fishing L E Ray Lake in Hall County, Nebraska

• Overview

  The Hall County entry here is L E Ray Lake, in Nebraska. What surrounds it is mixed forest. Roughly 31 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The closest town, Grand Island, is 2.5 miles distant. Lincoln is the closest city, 88 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water. The shoreline gives more room than the map suggests.

• Where to Fish on L E Ray Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Reported across Hall County: common carp, orangespotted sunfish, white sucker and Iowa darter. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. L E Ray Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 23°F and July at about 76°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid March. Climate averages put the opening at about mid March and the closing near mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Time your trip to L E Ray Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. A toilet block sits 120 yards away. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Pier Lake is 2.2 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for L E Ray Lake.