Spring Creek Reservoir Fishing Guide, Dawes County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Spring Creek Reservoir is one of the Dawes County listings for Nebraska. The surface lies 3,255 feet up. It covers about 23 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The nearest place of any size is Chadron, 4.5 miles away. Fort Collins sits 188 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Spring Creek Reservoir

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Species logged across Dawes County include brown trout, brook trout and white sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Spring Creek Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 74°F, the coldest about 23°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid March. Expect the water usable from around mid March until roughly early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It sets the rhythm of the year at Spring Creek Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Bartlet Reservoir, 3 miles out. Confirm access to Spring Creek Reservoir locally before you travel.