Fishing Regulations

New for 2025

Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) – At Frye Lake Wildlife Management Area, there is no minimum length limit, with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer allowed in the five-fish daily bag limit. Also:

• At Prairie View Lake, Wagon Train State Recreation Area/WMA, Duck Creek Recreation Area and Prairie Queen Recreation Area, the five-fish bag limit has a protected slot of 15-18 inches, with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer in the five-fish daily bag.
• Patriot Park Lake is added to the list of lakes that have a 21-inch minimum length limit, and Pawnee SRA/WMA is removed from the same list.

Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake (Lake No. 5) – Anglers are allowed to practice catch and release on trout if they choose, and the start date when anglers will be allowed to fish the lake without a trout tag is June 1.

Channel Catfish – The “one-over” size restriction on fish from the Missouri River is removed.

Walleye, Sauger and Saugeye – Branched Oak Lake reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of four, possession limit of eight and 15-inch minimum length limit, with one over 22 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag.

Northern Pike – At Clear Lake, Dewey Lake, Hackberry Lake and Pelican Lake, the three-fish daily bag limit has a protected slot of 24-34 inches, with no more than one fish 34 inches or longer in the bag. Also:

• Smith Lake WMA is added to the lakes that have a daily bag limit of 10 pike, of which only three may be over 22 inches and only one of these may be over 34 inches.
• Lake Wanahoo reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of three, possession limit of 10, no minimum length limit and one fish 34 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag.

Striped Bass, White Bass and Wiper – The statewide “one-over” size restriction is changed, increasing the length limit to18 inches or longer in which the daily bag limit may include one fish, in inland waters.

Bait – The no-live-baitfish restriction is removed at Lake Wanahoo.

Fishing Regulations

Hook-and-Line Regulations

Hook-and-line fishing is allowed year-round throughout the state, except as noted or as posted at an area.

Definition of a Hook – One hook means a single-, double- or treble-pointed hook. All hooks attached to an artificial bait or lure shall be counted as one hook.

• Umbrella/spreader rigs (Alabama, sabiki, etc.) clarification: These are considered "rigs" of multiple lures/baits combined. Therefore, when using on a pond/pit/lake/reservoir, only two of the lures/baits can be have hooks on them. When using in a river/stream/canal, five hooks would be allowed.

Ponds, Lakes or Reservoirs – Anglers are limited to no more than two lines, with a maximum of two hooks on each line, with these being any type of attached line (such as rod and reel or fishing pole) on all lakes, ponds or reservoirs or in their inlets, outlets and canals within one-half mile of these bodies of water, with the exception of ice-fishing line limits. This includes Lewis and Clark Lake from Gavins Point Dam upstream to the Santee boat ramp in Knox County.

Ice-Fishing – A total of five lines with two hooks on each line are permitted. Each line must be under direct supervision and within unaided observation of the angler. Holes made for ice- fishing may not exceed 10 inches in diameter on any area controlled or managed by Game and Parks, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuges. A special $5 permit is required for a permanent shelter on state recreation areas and wildlife management area lakes. Applications and regulations are available from conservation officers or Game and Parks offices. This does not apply to temporary shelters used and removed each day.

Rivers or Streams – A total of 15 hooks are allowed, ranging from 15 lines each with a single hook attached, to three lines with a maximum of five hooks attached. These hook-and-line limits apply to anglers who must be one-half mile from any lake, pond or reservoir that is associated with that river or stream. These can be rods and reels, poles, bank lines, limb lines or setlines that are attached to a fixed object in a river, stream or canal and not free-floating. Jug lines are illegal and are defined as a free-floating line that contains fishing hooks entirely supported by flotation. All bank lines, limb lines and setlines must contain the angler’s name, address and fishing-permit number or driver’s license number. Bank lines, limb lines and setlines must be checked every 24 hours.

Removal of Bank Lines, Limb Lines and Setlines – Upon completion of fishing, all bank lines, limb lines and setlines must be removed. Within the boundaries of the Missouri National Recreational River, limb lines and setlines are prohibited within 200 feet of public boat landings or swimming areas.

Snagging

Snagging of paddlefish and nongame fish is permitted only in the Missouri River under season dates and limits specified in the Paddlefish snagging section. All other state waters are closed to snagging for all species at all times. All fish snagged accidentally or otherwise foul-hooked, must be returned to the water immediately.

Bag, Possession and Length Limits

Bag and possession limits may vary between “inland waters” and “waters of the Missouri River.” For this purpose only:

• “inland waters” include all waters of the state except the waters of the Missouri River
• “waters of the Missouri River” include all of the river along Nebraska’s border and all reservoirs, oxbows, sloughs, chutes, backwaters and marshes that have annual surface water connection to the river and the first 300 yards upstream from the mouth of all tributary streams
• “statewide” includes all inland waters of the state and waters of the Missouri River

Culling – Culling and high-grading are not allowed. Any fish that is not to be counted in the daily bag limit must be returned immediately to the water with as little injury as possible. Any fish placed on a stringer or in a container, or not returned to the water must be counted in the bag.

Daily Bag Limit – The number of fish harvested from midnight to the following midnight taken by all legal methods combined. No person may possess more than one day’s bag limit of fish while on the water.

Possession Limit – The total number of fish that a person may possess in portable coolers, home freezers, registered in their name in a commercial cold storage locker, or in any way under their control. Fish or aquatic animals placed in public storage or transferred must be labeled with the owner’s name, address, phone number, date of birth, signature, date taken, species and numbers, and the name of recipient, if transferred.

How to Measure a Fish – Lay the fish on its side with its mouth closed and the tail lobes pressed together. With a yardstick or tape measure under the fish, measure the length from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Do not follow the contour of the fish.

Restricted Species – It is unlawful to possess or transport any live white perch, black carp, silver carp, bighead carp or yellow bass.

Minimum Length Limit – A fish must be equal to or longer than the defined length to be legally harvested.

Maximum Length Limit – A fish must be shorter than the defined length to be legally harvested.

Protected Slot Limit – A range of lengths of a particular species that may not be harvested legally. For instance, a 20- to 28-inch protected slot limit on walleye means that only walleye less than 20 inches in length or greater than 28 inches may be harvested.

One-Over Length Bag Limits – For some species, the number of large fish that may be harvested may be limited on some or all waters. For example, while it may be legal to harvest four black bass more than 15 inches from a given lake, state wide regulations prohibit an angler from harvesting more than one black bass 21 inches or longer each day from any waters.Therefore, for lakes with a 21-inch minimum length limit on black bass, the daily bag limit becomes one fish.

It is Unlawful To ...

• borrow or use the permit of another or lend your permit to another
• leave dead fish or any part of one on the banks or in the water of any stream, lake or other body of water
• fish on any private land without landowner permission
• release into public waters of the state any fish that did not originate from that body of water, including the dumping of bait buckets.

• seine sport fish of any size
• leave fish in a trap for more than 24 hours
• attempt to snag fish, except in designated seasons
• use limb lines or set lines in any pond, lake or reservoir
• catch fish by hand
• buy or attempt to buy a permit while under license suspension or revocation in any state
• keep an externally foul-hooked fish, except those legally snagged
• leave a water body with lake or river water present in a boat or container
• transport any fish or baitfish in water from any stream, river, pond or lake

Length Limits and Cleaning of Fish

Where length and bag limits apply, fish may not be filleted until fishing is completed for the day and anglers are off the water. Fish subject to bag and possession limits but not length limits, may be processed before transport if the fillets are kept in one piece until cooked, so the bag and possession limits can be determined. Fish species subject to a length limit may not be possessed with more than the gills, viscera and scales removed while on the water, wading or engaged in fishing. Any fish in possession while on the water will be subject to length and bag limits that apply to that water body. Once off the water, the fish may be filleted for transportation and storage.

Additional Information

ATVs and Snowmobiles for Ice-Fishing

Snowmobiles, all-terrain and motorized off-highway amphibious vehicles may be operated on the frozen surfaces of lakes within Nebraska Game and Parks Commission state recreation areas (SRAs), state parks (SPs) and wildlife management areas (WMAs) unless otherwise posted.

• It is unlawful to operate these vehicles on areas other than the frozen lake surface and to directly access the ice via roadways, parking areas, or trails specifically designated for vehicle use.
• These vehicles may be operated only from a half hour before sunrise until 9 p.m., or as posted.
• Operators are responsible for inspecting frozen lake surfaces for sufficient ice thickness (minimum of 8 inches) and for possible hidden hazards before any such operation and should be alert for soft ice caused by flowing springs, streams and rivers, and also caused by variations in temperature.
• The operation of snowmobiles, all-terrain and motorized off-highway amphibious vehicles on the frozen lake surface is at the sole risk of the operator. Game and Parks assumes no responsibility for safety of said operation.
• Lake-specific regulations may apply for non-NGPC areas; check with the local entity that owns or operates the area for specific regulations.

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day is held annually in Nebraska. It is a chance for people to fish for a day without purchasing a permit. Also on that day, no permit is needed to enter a state park area. For more information, visit the Outdoor Nebraska website.

Anglers enjoying a Community Fishing Event at Holmes Lake in Lincoln.

Community Fishing Events

The Nebraska Game and Parks Youth Fishing Program sponsors Community Fishing Events at lakes across the state. This is an opportunity for people who have never fished, or have not fished in years, to learn or refresh their skills. For dates and locations of upcoming events, visit the Outdoor Nebraska website and search for 'Community Fishing Events'.

Fish Kill Reports

To make it easier to determine the cause, promptly report dead or dying fish to a conservation officer, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission district office, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy at 402-471-2186, or the 24-hour Nebraska State Patrol pollution complaint number at 402-479-4921.

Pollution

Keep the water safe and clean for future fishing. Report dumping or pollution activities to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 402-471-2186, the 24-hour Nebraska State Patrol pollution complaint number at 402-479-4921, or the Environmental Protection Agency 24 hours a day at 913-281-0991.

Resources for Lake Maps and Water Levels

For lake levels and stream flows, visit:

• Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID)
• Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)
• U.S. Geological Survey WaterWatch,
• Bureau of Reclamation’s Nebraska Lakes page
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers River Gages page

Fish Consumption Advisory

For information on the fish consumption advisory program and the status of water bodies across the state, visit the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy website and search for 'Fish Consumption Advisories'

Tournaments, Contests and Derbies

Registration – All fishing tournaments, derbies or contests that require an entry fee, on publicly owned, controlled or managed waters, must be registered with Game and Parks’ Fisheries Division at least 45 days before the event. In addition, it is strongly suggested that all fishing tournaments, including those that do not charge an entry fee, register in order to avoid user conflicts. You can download a fishing tournament registration form from the Outdoor Nebraska website.

Special Occasion Permit – If the tournament is to be held at a state park or state recreation area, also contact the park superintendent to complete a Special Occasion Permit.

Denial – An event may be denied if the date and location conflict with a previously approved event. Denial also may be based on safety concerns due to low water or anticipated heavy use that could result in boat ramp congestion or if tournament organization does not follow all tournament registration and invasive species rules.

Special Conditions – Game and Parks may impose special conditions for a fishing tournament, derby or contest if deemed necessary to protect the resource or to assure public safety. Special conditions may include aerated livewells, release of live fish, designated release areas, on-the-water measurements, and immediate release of fish with no on-shore weigh-in ceremony. Tournament directors will be provided instructions on how to operate their tournament to reduce mortality in no harvest/weigh-in tournaments. All watercraft are required to adhere to the Clean, Drain and Dry protocol before launching to ensure that no aquatic invasive species are being transported from another body of water.

Certificate – A Fishing Tournament Approval Certificate must be present at the tournament site.

Posted Dates – Tournament dates are available on the Outdoor Nebraska fishing tournaments page.

Results – A results form will be sent to the tournament director. This form must be completed and returned to the Fisheries Division within 30 days following the completion of the fishing tournament. Failure to return the completed form or provide the requested information will result in denial of future fishing-tournament requests for at least one year.

Tagged Fish – The use of tagged or otherwise marked fish is prohibited in any fishing tournament, derby or contest held on waters owned or controlled and stocked by Game and Parks during the preceding 24 months, excluding private lakes not owned by the state or other governmental entity.