Sunfish Lake in Holt County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Nebraska, Sunfish Lake falls inside Holt County. The country here is lake country bush. The water measures roughly 12 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Some 24 miles away sits Burwell, the nearest settlement. Lincoln is the closest city, 147 miles away. Neighbouring water: Chain Lake at about 2.5 miles, Willow Lake 3.3 miles, Clear Lake at about 6.1 miles, Swan Lake 8.2 miles and Bruner Lake at about 12 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Sunfish Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Holt County cover common carp, green sunfish, white sucker and brown trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. The shape of Sunfish Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 74°F, with January the cold end at about 21°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. The season between ice runs from about late March to early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. On Sunfish Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Chain Lake is 2.5 miles distant. Ask locally about Sunfish Lake if anything is unclear.