What is the biggest lake in Nebraska?

Lake McConaughy, at 35,700 acres.

What is the second biggest lake in Nebraska?

Harlan County Lake, at 13,200 acres.

Biggest lakes in Nebraska: the top 10 by size

How big are the biggest lakes in Nebraska? Here are the top 10, with their size and what to do on each.

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

#	Lake	Size	Shoreline
1	Lake McConaughy	35,700 acres
2	Harlan County Lake	13,200 acres	about 37 mi
3	Calamus Reservoir	5,140 acres	about 24 mi
4	Swanson Lake	4,970 acres	about 12.6 mi
5	Sutherland Reservoir	3,000 acres	about 13.3 mi
6	Merritt Reservoir	3,000 acres	about 30 mi
7	Sherman Reservoir	2,840 acres	about 19 mi
8	Middle Marsh Lake	about 2,560 acres	about 17 mi
9	Johnson Lake	2,190 acres	about 8.8 mi
10	Harry Strunk Lake	1,850 acres	about 17.4 mi

1. Lake McConaughy

Lake McConaughy spreads over 35,700 acres of water. Expect walleye, striped bass, trout and white bass. The deepest water is around 142 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Lake McConaughy today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Harlan County Lake

At some 13,200 acres, Harlan County Lake is a big lake. It lies next to Alma. Harlan County Dam holds it on the Republican River. Walleye, white bass, striped bass and catfish are the draw. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Harlan County Lake dams the Republican River and extends south into Phillips County, Kansas.

Harlan County Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Calamus Reservoir

Calamus Reservoir spreads over some 5,140 acres. The lake is near Burwell. It is the Calamus River behind Virginia Smith Dam. The fish here are walleye, striped bass, white bass and northern pike. Calamus Reservoir is impounded by the Virginia Smith Dam on the Calamus River in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Calamus Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Swanson Lake

Swanson Lake spreads over 4,970 acres of water. You will find it near Trenton. It is the Republican River behind Trenton Dam. Like most lakes its size in Nebraska, it should hold largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a steep ledge to work. Swanson Lake is impounded by Trenton Dam on the Republican River in Hitchcock County.

Swanson Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Sutherland Reservoir

Sutherland Reservoir covers 3,000 acres of water. The lake is about 2.2 miles north of Sutherland. The usual Nebraska mix applies: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Sutherland Reservoir is part of the Nebraska Public Power District's North Platte hydro system, three miles south of Sutherland.

Sutherland Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Merritt Reservoir

Merritt Reservoir covers 3,000 acres of water. You will find it about 23 miles northeast of Valentine. Merritt Dam holds it on the Snake River. Like most lakes its size in Nebraska, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Merritt Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Sherman Reservoir

At 2,840 acres of water, Sherman Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it near Loup City. It is the Oak Creek behind Sherman Dam. Expect walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Sherman Reservoir dams Oak Creek in Sherman County and is known for trophy-sized flathead catfish.

Sherman Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Middle Marsh Lake

At about 2,560 acres, Middle Marsh Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies about 23 miles north of Valentine. The usual Nebraska mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Middle Marsh Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Johnson Lake

At 2,190 acres of water, Johnson Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies about 5.9 miles south of Elwood. The usual Nebraska mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Johnson Lake in Gosper County is an irrigation-system reservoir popular for walleye and white bass fishing.

Johnson Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Harry Strunk Lake

Harry Strunk Lake spreads over 1,850 acres of water. You will find it about 7.2 miles south of Cambridge. Medicine Creek Dam holds it on the Medicine Creek. It holds walleye, crappie, white bass and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Harry Strunk Lake is impounded by Medicine Creek Dam, built 1948-1949 by the Bureau of Reclamation, and is named for the founding editor of the McCook Daily Gazette.

Harry Strunk Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.