Fishing Willow Creek Lake
AKA: Willow Creek Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Willow Creek Lake, NE
Black Crappie Fishing
A nice population of black crappie resides in Willow Creek Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually 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 prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. 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.
Channel Catfish Fishing
To fish for catfish on Willow Creek Lake, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Willow Creek Lake has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
Willow Creek Lake is a popular bass tournament lake. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be slow at times, yet pretty good at other times. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. In winter when the lake freezes over and the ice is safe, bass can also be caught while ice fishing.
Willow Creek Lake Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass and wiper at Willow Creek Lake in Nebraska.
With half the lake designated as a no-wake zone, Willow Creek Lake is an excellent place for fishing. The other half of the lake is open to all boating and water skiing. This 700-acre lake, in the northeast part of the state at Pierce, NE, is home to wiper, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, and walleye. The no-wake area has a considerable amount of brush, trees and vegetation in the water, providing excellent cover for fish and baitfish alike. Virtually all the shoreline is accessible for bank fishing. Fishing from shore is enhanced by seven rock jetties providing anglers additional access to fishing areas. Kayaks, canoes,and all types of fishing boats are used here to access these healthy populations of fish.
Primary fish species residing in Willow Creek Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Willow Creek Lake Amenities
Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NEARBY
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
548th Avenue North Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off 548th Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
548th Avenue South Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off 548th Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Willow Creek Recreation Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, in Willow Creek Recreation Area, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Fishing Guides On Willow Creek Lake
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Nebraska Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Willow Creek SRA Campground - 402 329-4053
Willow Creek Lake NE Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Willow Creek Lake
Willow Creek State Recreation Area
54876 852nd Rd
Pierce, NE 68767
402 329-4053
Fishing lakes in each state.
021525
Willow Creek Lake in Nebraska.
NEBRASKA
Fishing at Willow Creek Lake, in Nebraska.
Bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish and wiper fishing in northeast NE.
