Explore the gems of Keith County, Nebraska

More to Explore Explore the gems of Keith County, Nebraska

Lake McConaughy offers miles of water and shoreline for recreation. (Courtesy photo from Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce)

There are lots of places to stay... to play at Lake McConaughy!

I-80 Exit 126, Ogallala

Check ilovelakemac.com or download the Lake McConaughy App to find hotels, cabins, private campgrounds, restaurants, shopping & things to do!

Please be aware ALL public camping requires a reservation 5/21/21-9/12/21. See outdoornebraska.org.LakeMcConaughy. F or more than a century and a quar ter, Ogallala has ranked among the state’s top tourism communities.

The gem that draws most visitors to Keith County is Lake McConaughy. The lake was formed by damming the Nor th Platte River, which starts in Colorado and comes to wester n Nebraska via Wyoming. The lake boasts 100 miles of shoreline of white sand beaches and 30,000 sur face of clear blue waters and some of the best walleye fishing in the nation.

Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala rank high on the list for bird watching in the nation. More than 320 species of birds have been identified on or near their shores.

Interactive displays at the Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretive Center explain the benefits of the Platte River and the High Plains Aquifer. The Visitor Center, located at 1475 NE Hwy 61, is about eight miles nor th of Ogallala and is open year-round. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, while winter hours are shor tened to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

During the spring, walleye spawn at Lake McConaughy. Anglers target walleye and wipers using live bait or casting jigs. From May to August, its white bass, small and large bass hit on casting jigs or lures. Yellow perch can be caught all summer throughout the lake on worms and wax worms.

Whether you are fishing from the bank or of f a boat, anglers can catch nor thern pike, rainbow trout, brown trout, and tiger trout at the neighboring Lake Ogallala. Catfish can be caught year-round.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds boaters to take care to avoid transpor ting aquatic nuisance species such as zebra mussels by making sure to clean, drain and dr y their watercraft before launching at either lake. Nebraska law also requires any person bor n after Dec. 31, 1985, to complete a boater safety course and have proof of completion with them in order to operate any motorboat, including personal watercraft.

For more information or list of activities and events visit http:// outdoor nebraska.gov/lakemcconaughy/.

Lake McConaughy is a destination for those looking to enjoy some fun in the water. (Courtesy photo)