McDowell Reservoir Number 1, Nebraska: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Dawes County end of Nebraska holds McDowell Reservoir Number 1. It sits at 3,727 feet above sea level. At 4 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is a small entry by Dawes County standards. You are 22 miles from Chadron. Fort Collins is the closest city, 169 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on McDowell Reservoir Number 1

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Across Dawes County, recorded fish include brown trout, brook trout, white sucker and bluegill. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On this water that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 73°F, the coldest about 25°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid March. Climate figures give an open season running mid March to mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on this water follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Squaw Creek Reservoir, 0.2 miles out. Treat this water as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.