Richardson Reservoir in Keya Paha County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Richardson Reservoir sits in Keya Paha County, out in Nebraska. The bank is 2,044 feet above sea level. Small at around 8 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Nearest place of any size is Gregory, 19 miles away. Atkinson is 34 miles away, with Platte at 37 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Richardson Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Reported across Keya Paha County: green sunfish, black bullhead and Iowa darter. The county list is broader than any single water. The shape of Richardson Reservoir decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 75°F in July and bottom out at 20°F in January. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Averages place the thaw at late March and the freeze at early December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Richardson Reservoir runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Hitchcock Reservoir Number 3 at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Richardson Reservoir should be assumed from this page alone.