Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-17 Fishing in Otoe County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-17 belongs to Otoe County, Nebraska. It lies 1,073 feet above sea level. It covers about 8 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Ground here is low by Nebraska standards. 2.5 miles away sits Syracuse, the nearest town. The big place round here is Lincoln, 26 miles distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-17

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Species logged across Otoe County include common carp, green sunfish, black bullhead, channel catfish and flathead catfish. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Fish this water to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 23°F in January and 77°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid March. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid March until roughly mid December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. The season on this water rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-16, 1.1 miles out. Rules at this water are worth checking on the day.