Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-16 Fishing near Syracuse, Nebraska

• Overview

  Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-16 lies in Otoe County, in Nebraska. It sits in mixed forest country. At about 25 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. It ranks high for size among our Otoe County listings. For supplies, Syracuse is 1.4 miles out. After that come Weeping Water at 16 miles and Eagle at 17 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-16

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Otoe County include common carp, green sunfish and black bullhead. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Anyone new to this water should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 77°F and January near 23°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Count the season from break-up, usually mid March. Averages suggest open water from about mid March through to roughly mid December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. This water runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-17 sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on this water before loading the car.