How thick does ice need to be to fish on in Nebraska?

Public guidance: at least 4 inches of clear, solid new ice to walk on. White ice is about half as strong. Follow your state agency's advice and check the ice yourself.

What are good ice-fishing lakes in Nebraska?

Start with Lake McConaughy, Harlan County Lake and Calamus Reservoir.

Ice fishing in Nebraska: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice fishing in Nebraska: 10 lakes with walleye, perch, pike, panfish or trout under the ice, and the safety rules that come first.

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

Clear new ice	What it can hold (public guidance)
Under 4 in	Stay off
4 in	Walking, ice fishing on foot
5 to 7 in	Snowmobile or ATV
8 to 12 in	Small car or light pickup
12 to 15 in	Medium truck

1. Lake McConaughy

At 35,700 acres, Lake McConaughy is a big lake. The fish here are walleye, trout, striped bass 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. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

2. Harlan County Lake

Harlan County Lake spreads over 13,200 acres. It lies about 74 miles northeast of Grand Island. It is the Republican River behind Harlan County Dam. Expect walleye, crappie, northern pike and white bass. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Harlan County Lake dams the Republican River and extends south into Phillips County, Kansas. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

3. Calamus Reservoir

At some 5,140 acres, Calamus Reservoir is a good-sized lake. It lies about 5.3 miles southeast of Burwell. Virginia Smith Dam holds it on the Calamus River. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, trout and crappie. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Calamus Reservoir is impounded by the Virginia Smith Dam on the Calamus River in the Nebraska Sandhills. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

4. Sherman Reservoir

Sherman Reservoir covers 2,840 acres of water. The lake is within an easy drive of Grand Island (about 38 miles). Walleye, crappie, northern pike and catfish are the draw. Sherman Reservoir dams Oak Creek in Sherman County and is known for trophy-sized flathead catfish. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

5. Harry Strunk Lake

Harry Strunk Lake covers 1,850 acres of water. The lake is near Cambridge. It is the Medicine Creek behind Medicine Creek Dam. 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. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

6. Branched Oak Lake

Branched Oak Lake spreads over 1,800 acres of water. You will find it near Seward. It holds crappie, walleye, bluegill and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Branched Oak Lake was built as a flood-control project on Salt Creek to protect Lincoln, Nebraska. Under the ice, crappie: cold. Tight schools near deep brush and bridges.

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

7. Lake Minatare

Lake Minatare is a reservoir of about 1,710 acres. You will find it near Scottsbluff. Expect walleye, yellow perch and largemouth bass. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

8. Hugh Butler Lake

Hugh Butler Lake spreads over some 1,630 acres. It lies near McCook. It is the Willow Creek behind Red Willow Dam. Walleye, crappie, white bass and catfish are the draw. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Hugh Butler Lake is impounded by Red Willow Dam on Willow Creek in Frontier County. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

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

9. Box Butte Reservoir

Box Butte Reservoir covers 1,600 acres. It lies about 25 miles north of Chadron. Box Butte Dam holds it on the Niobrara River. It holds northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and largemouth bass. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Box Butte Reservoir impounds the Niobrara River in Dawes County, Nebraska. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

10. Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake covers 980 acres of water. It lies near Oshkosh. Yellow perch, walleye and largemouth bass are the draw. Under the ice, yellow perch: cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

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

What to bring

Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie