Fishing Report For Harlan County Lake, NE

By Rick Seaman

February 4, 2025

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Harlan County Lake Fishing Video
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Fishing Report Harlan County Reservoir, NE

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Harlan County Reservoir, NE

Walleye

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

The Corps of Engineers and Nebraska Game and Parks introduced fish habitat into Harlan County Lake at Cedar Point, Patterson Point, Indian Hill and Hunter Cove. The purpose was to improve fishing for predator fish, including walleye. Walleye tend to stay in the general area of these fish attractors, close to the congregation of baitfish and small fish. Walleye like to slow cruise around flats and structure close to deep water. They primarily feed close to the bottom, When walleye are in 12' to 25' of water a blade bait or a swimbait is a good way to locate the fish. Once you locate a school, a drop-shot rig with minnow-shaped plastics is a good way to work the school. Local walleye anglers report spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners are a catching walleye while trolling. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye is very productive.

White Bass

Current Report: Poor To Fair
Outlook: Good

Schooling white bass wander about the lake following baitfish, so they are always close by the food supply. Trolling or casting with baitfish-imitating lures is catching white bass here. Good electronics can help locate schools of baitfish and white bass, Once located, work the school with a variety of baits to find their preference for the day. Underspins, swimbaits, curly-tail jigs, spinners, spoons, crankbaits and live bait are all good choices.

Channel Catfish

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Fishing for channel catfish is generally productive around most any kind of structure. Fishing late in the day until midnight often produces the best fishing activity as this is prime feeding time for channel cats. Structure, flats and points outside Methodist Cove, Tipover Cove, Mill Creek, and Prairie Dog Bay are ideal feeding areas for catfish. Spring, and again in Fall, are some of the best time of year. Submerged road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig setup, with worms, cut bait, shrimp or prepared stink baits.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, white bass, wiper and northern pike at Harlan County Lake in Nebraska.

Harlan County Reservoir is a 13,000-acre lake with around 75 miles of shoreline. Walleye, white bass and channel catfish are the primary targets here, but bass, crappie and northerns also receive attention from anglers. Many fishing tournaments are held each year for walleye, bass or catfish.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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Marinas

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Fishing Guides On Harlan County Lake

Hook's Guide Service - walleye, white bass

Fishing License

Click here for a Nebraska Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".