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NGPC outlines three new Omaha-area rec reservoirs, one to receive trout stocking
Summary
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Southeast District officials gave timelines and fishery plans for three new small reservoirs near Omaha — Forest City (WP4), Mad Bear (WP2) and Marlin Peterman (WP1) — saying two should open this summer and the third is under construction with a projected completion date of 02/19/26.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Southeast District said three new small reservoirs in the Omaha metro are approaching public opening, and outlined initial recreational and stocking plans.
District Supervisor Aaron Blank said WP4, renamed Forest City Recreation Area, is a 15-acre lake on the eastern edge of Gretna and will be managed for paddlecraft and shoreline use only. "This is gonna be Forest City Rec Area. It's a 15 acre lake. It's gonna be managed as a kayak hand launch only reservoir because of its size," Blank said.
Blank said WP4's in-lake construction is essentially complete and crews are finishing parking and boating facilities. "WP 4 here is projected to be open probably this summer," he said. He added the agency plans to stock fish this fall if the lake catches and holds water.
A second reservoir, WP2 — to be called Mad Bear Recreation Area — is about 17 acres and is also planned as hand-launch-only. Blank said it will include breakwaters, a fishing pier with ADA access and a fishery of bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie. He said Mad Bear is expected to open a bit later than WP4 this summer.
A larger site, WP1 (Marlin Peterman Recreation Area), is about 20 acres near Flanagan Lake and is under construction. Blank said WP1 will include an access trail, multiple bump-outs for fishing and an 88-foot fishing pier. "Right now, the plan is smallmouth bass and yellow perch and we're also leaning that this 1 would take up some of the trout stocking that Standing Bear is no longer gonna have," he said. Blank gave a projected completion date for WP1 of 02/19/26.
All three reservoirs are being developed by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District with NGPC input on fisheries and stocking. Blank said WP1 will be used to reintroduce some trout stocking on Omaha's northwest side, intended to offer better catch rates and accessibility for anglers.
Blank and other staff emphasized that the lakes are being designed for small-boat and shore angling, with ADA access at specified locations. They said final species lists and stocking dates depend on lake filling and follow-up sampling.
The district said it will post maps and project updates on its website and will include links in an email to meeting participants. Staff contact information was provided for anglers with questions or local concerns.
