Fishing Merritt Lake

AKA: Merritt Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Merritt Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Merritt Reservoir, NE

Popular Fish Species Merritt Lake, NE

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a significant baitfish population, walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Merritt Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Merritt Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Merritt Lake continues to provide a robust smallmouth bass population for anglers. Many locals enjoy smallmouth fishing, as smallies are tough fighters and very exciting to catch. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good virtually anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish. When the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies.

Merritt Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

Merritt Lake holds a plentiful population of black crappie, which are fat and healthy this year. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Merritt Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white bass, yellow perch, muskie and northern pike at Merritt Lake in Nebraska.

Fed by the Snake River, Merritt Reservoir is one of the better fishing lakes in the state. This is a 1,600-acre lake in the north-central part of the state offering great fishing for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. There is plenty of cover in the lake with submerged trees and vegetation for fish and baitfish. Walleye are the featured species here. The lake has plenty of "quantity" if you are planning a fish fry, and has plenty of "quality" for the catch of a lifetime.

Primary fish species residing in Merritt Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Merritt Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Merritt Trading Post
Rentals: Fishing boats, canoes and kayaks
402 376-3437

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Beeds Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Beeds Landing, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Powder Horn Area Campground Boat Launch
Located in the north section of the lake, off Powderhorn Trail, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Snake River Area Campground Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Merritt Reservoir Recreation Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Willow Cove Area Campground Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Highway 97, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.