Outdoor Report
June 10, 2013
Superintendent’s Note: from Colby Johnson, Park Superintendent
Memorial Day is behind us here at the park and we are looking forward to a great summer. All facilities are open with visitation going up every weekend as the water and air temperatures begin to rise. Water levels have been steady for the last few weeks but we expect the summer drawdown to begin in the coming weeks.
Our boat ramps with NGPC docks are listed below. We have implemented two-dock systems at Martin Bay and Diver’s Bay to help accommodate heavy summer traffic on the low water boat ramps. Please be patient at these areas as they will receive heavy use throughout the season.
Our staff has been working diligently to keep all facilities clean and operational for visitor use. We have shifted from completing major projects to operational maintenance for the summer season. The spring rain has helped plant life around the park but we are still cleaning up material that didn’t survive last summer’s terrible drought. We are hoping to get some new plant material inserted around the park this fall when the temperatures are more apt for growth.
There are Piping Plover and Least Tern nests located throughout the park and we want to remind visitors to avoid these areas and follow all posted guidelines. We are asking all visitors to please keep any pets on a leash at all times while using the park.
We are having a serious problem with people depositing household trash and garbage into our grass clipping/lawn debris dumps located around the park. We have had mattresses, bags of trash, refrigerators and microwaves left for us to clean out of the piles. If this does not stop immediately, we will be forced to close the dumps for public use.
I am still looking for seasonal staff for housekeeping and kiosk crews. We will be hiring throughout the summer season when positions open. If you are interested, I encourage you to contact the Visitor’s Center for more information.
Docks:
Usable concrete ramps with NGPC docks can be found at Diver’s Bay, Martin Bay (low water), Lemoyne (lakeside) and Cedar Vue (lakeside). Visitors can also put in on the beach at Lakeview and North Shore Lodge.
Visitor Center Hours:
The Lake McConaughy Visitor’s and Water Interpretive Center is now open 7 days per week from 8:00am to 5:00pm. We will have extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays (8:00 am to 8:00 pm). There is no fee to enter the Visitor’s and Water Interpretive Center.
Fishing Report: Courtesy of NGPC Fisheries Division
Lake McConaughy
Surface water temperature at the dam is 61° F. The lake elevation is 3240.4, which is 0.1 foot lower than last week and is 12.4 feet lower than the elevation last year on this date. This puts the reservoir 24.6 feet lower than normal full pool capacity. Inflow into Lake McConaughy is 328 cfs, down slightly from 397 cfs last week, with outflow of 770 cfs.
The recent warming trend has dramatically improved fishing success. Boat anglers are focusing primarily on a daytime walleye bite at the Sand Point, ‘Castle’ to Lemoyne area, North Shore and east Lakeview areas. Walleye have been taken drifting ‘crawler rigs’ or ‘Lindy’ rigs in shallow water zones. A few 22-32 inch northern pike have been caught along with white bass up to 17 inches, wiper and occasional smallmouth bass. Night activity continues along the dam casting or trolling crankbaits for wipers. The statewide daily bag limit for walleye is 4 fish with minimum size limit of 15 inches and no more than one fish over 22 inches. No more than one fish over 16 inches is allowed for white bass, wiper or striped bass.
Channel catfish success on the reservoir from North Shore to Sand Point has been good with fish up to 22 inches taken. Anglers were having the best success using crawlers, shad entrails, cut-bait or frozen shrimp.
Usable concrete boat ramps for launching can be found at the Cedar Vue lakeside ramp, Lemoyne lakeside ramp, Martin Bay lakeside ramp and Divers Bay. Boats can also be launched with four wheel drive vehicles from the beach at Lakeview and North Shore Lodge. Anglers and boaters also need to be aware of a new regulation that requires every vessel to drain all water from compartments, equipment or containers before leaving the launch area.
Lake Ogallala
Surface water temperature is 63° F. Rainbow trout fishing success has been fair for both boat and bank anglers. Fish size ranges from 10-17 inches with some occasional larger fish up to 20 inches. Boat anglers are trolling or casting spinners or spoons. Bank anglers are using worms, salmon eggs, dough baits or casting spinners, spoons or jigs. Fly fishermen have been doing well with bead head nymph patterns or streamers. Channel catfish to 24 inches and wiper up to 29 inches been taken by bank anglers using cut bait or whole alewife. Anglers are reminded the daily bag limit in Lake Ogallala is 5 trout with no more than one over 16 inches.
Keystone Canal
Flow into the canal is currently 612 cfs, up from last week’s 524 cfs flow. Angler pressure has been light but success for rainbow trout has been good with an occasional larger fish up to 24 inches. The most popular technique has been drifting salmon eggs, crawlers or dough baits. Daily bag limit for the Keystone Canal is 5 trout with no size limit.
North Platte River below the Keystone Diversion Dam
Discharge from the Keystone Diversion Dam into the river is 158 cfs, up from 86 cfs last week. Success for rainbow trout has been fair with most anglers using worms, salmon eggs, dough baits or casting spinners or spoons. Fly fishermen have been doing fair with weighted nymph patterns, streamers or midge patterns. Occasional walleye and yellow perch have also been taken. Again, anglers are reminded the daily bag limit in the North Platte River below the Diversion Dam is 5 trout with no more than one over 16 inches.
Web Content
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Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area
(308) 284-8800
1475 HW 61 N
Ogallala, NE 69153
email: ngpc.lake.mcconaughy@nebraska.gov
