[defiantadp]

Hey I just moved into the area and was wondering about some lakes around Central NE. I'm in Hastings and I was looking aroung on the map and see Crystal lake south of here. Has anyone done and catfishing there??? I'm mostly a bank fisher unless I get out with my brother on his boat about 2-3 times a year.

 

[Dirtdobber]

Welcome to the USCA/BOC from NE Okla.

 

[bluejay]

Welcome to the board Al.

 

[playin4funami]

first of all welcome to the usca. second we have a couple members in hastings and I live about 25 miles away to the east. what brought you to hastings? crystal lake is very small and not much taken care of anymore, unfortunately from hastings you are in for a drive to get to anywhere real good for catfishing,where did ya migrate from? the regular lakes to fish around there are Harlan res. off to the south west and johnson lake straight west and also elwood,but you really need a boat for elwood. there are some smaller lakes and ponds around the area open to the public,just north of you are a bunch of I-80 lake/ponds that are mostly bass lakes but also have some catfish. there are some options in nothern Ks also that many go to fish including me. smaller river have some fish also. what kind/species of catfish are you looking to catch,we have mainly channels and flatheads with the occaisional blue here and there. give us some more info and we'll get you headed to the right area,might even guide you for a quick course on the area waters.

 

[GrandpaGoneFishing]

Welcome to the BOC / USCA Al. I don't know much about NE, But if you ever get down to Kansas give me a shout and we'll drag the boat out.​

 

[defiantadp]

I'm originally from Denver, Colorado but i've been in coming out to here fish with my brother for quite a few years. I have fished Sherman, Calamus, Davis Creek, Harlan,
LE Ray, Mormon Island west lake, Loup Canal. The boat thing is getting tougher to do for us since my brother has some medical problems that lead to money problems so the stars have to align just right for us to get the boat out. Out of the places I've fished before the loup canal seems almost impossible to land a fish at least where I was fishing and seems like the banks were all the same. But I did bump a monster there I think I casted right on top of him all I seen was wake from the side of the bank were I casted looked like a 3-4 ft torpedo was cruising. There were too many snags there also I think i lost about 20 bucks in tackle there.

 

[playin4funami]

I spend quite a bit of time up at the loup canal, it is a snag infested nightmare, and thats why it it a great place for flatheads, you can go through some tackle there but there are definately some big smart flatheads up there, heavy gear is an absolute must have up there with the normal 30 mph current a fish can get sideways and really put a workout on a rod and reel. But if you like big flatheads it can become an addiction fishing that place, I promise there are more than one new state record fish swimming in there,only a matter of time....... anyway sounds like you know the area pretty well, way ahead in the game already! the fishing should be getting hot at harlan here soon for cats, but Ks lakes are usually better and closer for me.

 

[jaw13]

i live in hastings and the places we usually go that are the closest are the little blue river right by crystal lake and the part of the little blue that goes through pauline nebraska. and those spots are good for 1- 15 pound channels and flatheads.

 

[Mickey]

Al Welcome to the USCA, from So. Illinois.

 

[Big Vic]

Welcome !! And good luck fishing

 

[bownero]

Hey I just moved into the area and was wondering about some lakes around Central NE. I'm in Hastings and I was looking aroung on the map and see Crystal lake south of here. Has anyone done and catfishing there??? I'm mostly a bank fisher unless I get out with my brother on his boat about 2-3 times a year.

I've done some fishing at Crystal Lake back in the day!! Most of the cats I caught were in the river itself and not in the lake. Nothing big, but eater size Channels. Most on crawlers. Crystal Lake received some massive tree damage and was closed recently, due to a small tornado that ripped through. Tree damage and grain storage damage done at the elevator in Ayr, Ne. Not sure if the park is open yet. Nice place for an afternoon outing.

 

[jaw13]

i talked to people in ayr when i was down fishing today and there considering leaving the lake closed for good.

 

[bigmikeg]

, I promise there are more than one new state record fish swimming in there,only a matter of time....... .

i bet i could find a place not the canal that will bring for shure a few record fish. my brothers 75 and a host of others from 40-60 flathead but nnever report them for being caught. and blues the same way. its at the hamburg bend area not saying your canals are possible of it but i know alot of guys who catch big fish and never get them reported. sorry for stealing the thread and welcome aboard if you ever wanna do some misouri river fishing let me know the big one should be off spawn as soon as the flood waters go away..

 

[playin4funami]

yeah I realize there are alot of places to catch them big boys,and that alot of them get turned back and not reported, who want 10,000 guys decending on their spot? Thanks for the invite,would love to take you up oon it someday. I know zero zip nada about the big Mo, never had the opportunity to learn it,too far away to hit all the time.