Fishery report highlights trends in crappie growth and walleye hotspots in 2024

The Nebraska Southwest District Fisheries Meeting, held on May 23, 2025, focused on the evaluation and management of local fish populations, particularly crappies, walleye, saugeye, and catfish. The meeting began with a review of ongoing fish sampling efforts initiated in 2022, which included the collection of data on black and white crappies. The data gathered over the years has provided insights into the growth rates and age structures of these species.

The discussion highlighted that white crappies exhibit good initial growth, surpassing the 10-inch mark around 4.5 years, while black crappies show slower growth, often failing to reach this size. This has raised concerns among anglers about the potential need for a 10-inch minimum size requirement, which could shift the fishery towards a catch-and-release model. The team plans to continue evaluations throughout the year to inform future management decisions.

In 2023, the evaluation expanded to include Red Willow Reservoir, revealing similar growth patterns to those observed in Medicine Creek. The meeting noted a return to normal catch rates in 2024, with an average of just below 50 crappies per net, indicating a healthy fishery.

The meeting also provided a fishing forecast for various species. The top walleye fisheries identified were Southern Limonene and McConaughey, with the latter noted for larger fish. For saugeye, Medicine Creek and Wellfleet were highlighted as prime locations, while Jeffrey Reservoir and the Tri County Canal were recommended for targeting sauger. White bass fishing showed promise, with a significant catch reported in 2024.

Additionally, the Southwest District excelled in wiper surveys, with Swanson Reservoir leading in size and quantity. Channel catfish surveys at Sutherland were noted as the best in the state, with Wellfleet also offering quality fishing opportunities. The meeting concluded with encouragement for anglers to take advantage of the diverse fishing resources available in the district and to explore new access projects completed in the area.