Quigley Reservoir near McCook: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In Nebraska, Quigley Reservoir falls inside Red Willow County. The surroundings are rolling hill. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Of the waters listed here in Red Willow County, this is the largest. Some 12 miles away sits McCook, the nearest settlement. Beyond it, Cambridge at 14 miles and Oberlin at 25 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Quigley Reservoir

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Red Willow County include common carp, flathead catfish and rock bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Quigley Reservoir rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 77°F and January at 25°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Quigley Reservoir fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Records show it does not hold water year-round. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Schaffert Reservoir at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Quigley Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.