Meng Reservoir in Sioux County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Meng Reservoir lies in Sioux County, in Nebraska. The setting is pine and birch. Roughly 36 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. 31 miles away sits Chadron, the nearest town. Further out sit Hot Springs (33 miles) and Lusk (46 miles). Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing. It is recorded as fresh rather than salt.

• Where to Fish on Meng Reservoir

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Records held for Sioux County cover yellow bullhead, fathead minnow and sand shiner. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. The shape of Meng Reservoir rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 73°F and January near 22°F on the long-run figures. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. On average, late March opens the water and early December closes it again. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It sets the rhythm of the year at Meng Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Agate Dam Reservoir, 3.7 miles away. Check the position on Meng Reservoir before loading the car.