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Nearly everything about Lake
McConaughy is big! Its 35,700 surface acres make it Nebraska's largest
reservoir with over 100 miles of shore line. At full storage, McConaughy is
20 miles long, four miles wide and 142 feet deep at the dam. The dam is
among the largest of its type in the world, and the fish grow to trophy
proportions, accounting for several state records. Even its nickname, "Big
Mac" reflects its giant stature. |
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Located
8 miles northeast of Ogallala, NE, Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area
is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
To
most Nebraskans and residents of neighboring states, McConaughy is known
as a place for outdoor good times. Its waters and white sand beaches provide
the setting for many different kinds of outdoor recreation. Obviously such
a fine piece of water offers excellent fishing and boating. But, Big Mac
has become a favorite with campers, sailboaters, wind surfers, swimmers,
water skiers, picnickers, scuba divers, hunters, ice boaters, and many other
outdoor fun seekers.
Fishing has long been the primary drawing card at Big Mac, with
its cool, clear, deep waters. Game fish vary from sporty rainbow trout to
the everyday catfish. Prized most highly by the local angler is the walleye,
and Nebraska's current state record of 16 lbs. 2 oz. came from Big Mac. Also
top ranked is the white bass fishing. In recent years, a close relative of
the white bass has been stocked, and the striped bass offers a tackle-busting
contest an angler will not soon forget. Although smaller in size, the smallmouth
bass provides some dynamite action.
If wind curtails fishing, skiing, sailing and other water sports
on the big lake, all is not lost. Situated just below Kingsley Dam, Lake
Ogallala is an integral part of the Lake McConaughy recreation complex. Known
as the "little lake", it was formed when fill material was removed to build
the dam. Lake Ogallala boasts some excellent fishing for rainbow trout and
yellow perch. The lake is 1 1/2 miles long and a quarter mile wide. It has
about 5 miles of shore line and covers about 320 acres.
There are also side trips to attractions in the region. Ash Hollow
State Historical Park lies near the upper end of the lake on U.S. 26. The
neighboring Sandhills offers unique scenery for a drive, perhaps to Arthur,
just a half-hour north, or to Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, north
of Oshkosh, about 90 minutes away. Ogallala and other communities also offer
interesting things to see or do.
Come fall, when
campers, anglers, water skiers and other warm-weather sports enthusiasts
pretty much abandon the lake, Big Mac becomes waterfowl hunting territory.
Clear Creek Waterfowl Management Area at the west end of the lake attracts
substantial numbers of Canada geese, which can be hunted on the controlled
shooting area, as well as much of the rest of the lake. Winter is an invitation
to ice boaters, skaters and backpackers, adding to the lake's year-round
appeal.
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