Van Pelt Reservoir in Lancaster County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lancaster County in Nebraska is where Van Pelt Reservoir sits. It stands 1,329 feet above sea level. Small at around 9 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Hickman at 4.3 miles is the nearest place to stop. Then Lincoln, 16 miles, and Eagle, 18 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Van Pelt Reservoir

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Lancaster County include green sunfish, common carp, flathead catfish and bluegill. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Van Pelt Reservoir the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 77°F; by January the average is down near 23°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid March. From about mid March to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Anyone fishing Van Pelt Reservoir regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Salt Creek Reservoir 10-4 at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. For Van Pelt Reservoir in particular, ask before you travel.