Location:

10 miles North of Hemingford

Box Butte:

The 7 miles of long lake has 1600 surface acres of water at full pool. Box Butte is an irrigation reservoir. While there is draw down, an agreement between the Nebraska Game and Parks and the Mirrage Flats Irrigation District insurers adequate surface area is maintained throughout the year. There is one boat ramp that has recently been upgraded. There are no services directly on the water but there are plenty of businesses in Hemingford ready to serve lake visitors.

Fishing:

Box Butte Reservoir is probably one of the most overlooked lakes in the state. It sits out in the Nebraska panhandle and it consistently produces numbers of trophy fist year after year. It is a great lake for panfish and also produces some of the big fish that require larger tackle. Many times Box Butte has had the most variety of different species of master angler fish in the state and generally is high on the list of total numbers.

There is good catfishing in the reservoir’s upper reaches in the spring, when shad, shad entrails and dead minnows are the top baits. Some catfishing continues throughout the summer months, and then picks up again in the fall as the lake refills.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be taken in areas of flooded timber in the spring. Nightcrawlers, minnows, crawdads, plastic worms, and crankbaits are bass fishing favorites. Worms, nightcrawlers, small minnows and leeches are also good perch baits. Last year there were 8 bluegill, 2 walleye, 1 largemouth bass, and 1 common carp that were turned in for master angler awards.

Box Butte also holds the current state record for 11 ¼oz. pumpkinseed caught on 9-23-87 and 4lb. 7 ¾oz. gizzard shad caught on 3-26-89.

1989 - 51 master anglers

1990 – 30 master anglers

1991 - 46 master anglers

1992 – 65 master anglers

1993 – 88 master anglers

1994 – 59 master anglers

1995 – 32 master anglers

1996 – 51 master anglers

1997 – 57 master anglers

1998 – 50 master anglers

1999 – 21 master anglers

2000 – 26 master anglers

Activities:

Box Butte Reservoir offers ample space for fishing, camping, picnicking, boating as well as water skiing, sailing, swimming, jet skiing, wind surfing, mountain biking, and scuba diving.

Wildlife:

The nature enthusiast will enjoy the abundance of wildlife at Box Butte Reservoir. Deer, wild turkey, and pheasant abound in the area. The scenic Pine Ridge area is just to the north of the lake for those wishing to explore the country side while visiting, and historic Fort Robinson State Park is just a few miles to the west via country road, then north on Highway 2 and 71 to Crawford.