Fishing at Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-5-3, Otoe County, Nebraska

• Overview

  Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-5-3 is listed under Otoe County, Nebraska. The surface lies 1,060 feet up. About 8 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Nebraska listings. Start from Syracuse, 3.5 miles down the road. Tecumseh lies 17 miles off, Nebraska City another 18 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-5-3

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Reported across Otoe County: common carp, green sunfish, black bullhead, channel catfish and flathead catfish. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Fish this water where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 77°F, the coldest about 23°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid March. Ice clears near mid March and comes back about mid December in a typical year. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. The season on this water follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Ziegler Creek Reservoir Z-6-2, 1.1 miles away. Confirm access to this water locally before you travel.