Pilster Reservoir in Dawes County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Pilster Reservoir is a Dawes County water, in Nebraska. Height above sea level is 3,455 feet. Surface area is around 53 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. It is among the larger waters listed here for Dawes County. Chadron at 16 miles is the nearest place to stop. Fort Collins is the closest city, 180 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Pilster Reservoir

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Species logged across Dawes County include brown trout, brook trout and white sucker. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Anyone new to Pilster Reservoir should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 74°F and January reads 23°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid March. Climate figures give an open season running mid March to early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Pilster Reservoir fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Baldwin Reservoir, 3.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Pilster Reservoir.