Fishing at Percival-Erickson Reservoir, Clay County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Nebraska holds Percival-Erickson Reservoir, in Clay County. It stands 1,722 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 18 acres — small enough to read in one session. 3.6 miles away sits Sutton, the nearest town. Geneva lies 18 miles off, Aurora another 19 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Percival-Erickson Reservoir

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Clay County records list common carp, bluegill and flathead catfish among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Percival-Erickson Reservoir responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 76°F on average, January about 23°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Look for the thaw near mid March; the fishing lifts straight after. The lid tends to go about mid March and return around mid December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Percival-Erickson Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Fisher Reservoir Number 1, 12 miles away. What applies at Percival-Erickson Reservoir may have changed since it was mapped.