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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (steep ledge) is open for everyone; the other 4 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Whitney Lake

Dawes County, Nebraska · 900 acres (1.4 sq mi)

Caution

54°F water, windy Friday (15 mph SE).

Water54°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today15 mphSE
Best bite3:00 pmto 4:30 pm

About Whitney Lake

Whitney Lake is a reservoir in Dawes County, Nebraska, covering 900 acres. Whitney Lake is a reservoir in Dawes County, Nebraska.

From end to end it runs about 2.1 miles with roughly 5.8 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 3,480 ft above sea level. Chadron is about 15 miles east.

Size
900 acres (1.4 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 5.8 miles
End to end
About 2.1 miles
Elevation
About 3,480 ft
Type
Reservoir
County
Dawes County

The lake from above

1 0.5 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Fair

  • 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
  • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 15 mph

Saturday Fair

  • 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 15 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Expect the usual Nebraska mix for a lake this size: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 54°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Fair
    Largemouth bass

    Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.

  • Fair
    Crappie

    Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

  • Fair
    Catfish

    Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Steep ledge

    A sharp wall beside deep water; fish hang along the edge at the depth they like.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

4 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

54°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 62° / 38° 15 mph SE Mostly Sunny
Saturday 51° / 37° 15 mph S Partly Sunny · 3% rain
Sunday 56° / 38° 15 mph SSW Sunny

Sunrise 6:42 am · sunset 4:31 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Whitney Lake

  • Chadronabout 15 mi east
  • Harrisonabout 29 mi west

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Questions about Whitney Lake

What fish are in Whitney Lake?

Lakes like Whitney Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Whitney Lake?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Whitney Lake?

900 acres, with about 5.8 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Whitney Lake?

Chadron is about 15 miles east; Harrison is about 29 miles west.

What is the water temperature at Whitney Lake today?

The surface was about 54°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Whitney Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

Get it on Google Play

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