Pictures Lake McConaughy on the rise!

Scott Eveland · 11-19-2009, 03:27 PM

Took these today while out and about. Thought I'd share! This is the highest McConaughy has been since I moved back out here in 2003!

Looking down the Spillway Bay boat ramp.

Closeup of same.

Cedar Vue lakeside ramp--IN USE!

Cedar Vue bayside ramp, water is getting close. It is out of the shot to my right, but there is some serious damage to this ramp due to erosion, so it will need some major repairs that may be slow in coming due to the budget crisis.

Martin Bay IN THE BAY! Not the one we've called "Martin Bay" for the last seven years that is really just "Martin Beach."

And a little closer. That "hump" back there was always there, nobody thought of it when the lake was full. Hopefully nobody will be driving across it ever again!

wneb.fisher · 11-19-2009, 04:08 PM

Looks good!! Thanks so much for the update.

Jollensten85 · 11-19-2009, 04:24 PM

That is awesome. Haven't been out there for a while but it looks a lot better than the last time I saw it.

**holdemplyer** · 11-19-2009, 04:27 PM

Not often you'll hear me say this...... but.....

Let it snow let it snow LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!!! Filler'up!

Frosch · 11-19-2009, 05:02 PM

Thanks for posting the pics.

**fishinwithdad** · 11-19-2009, 05:15 PM

That is a sight to see!! Thanks for posting them.

**buglem** · 11-19-2009, 06:21 PM

Awesome to see the water getting up there a little bit again! Thanks for posting the pics Scott!

WalterPayton34 · 11-19-2009, 06:46 PM

This will be great for the spawn next year. Lots of extra cover for fry.

NEBucks · 11-19-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterPayton34

This will be great for the spawn next year. Lots of extra cover for fry.

It will also make for some really difficult fishing for a few years. Everyone needs to be patient as the fishery rebuilds itself.

WalterPayton34 · 11-20-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEBucks

It will also make for some really difficult fishing for a few years. Everyone needs to be patient as the fishery rebuilds itself.

Your right, it is for the better even if it won't be obvious at first.

luvsitall · 11-20-2009, 03:05 AM

Awesome update, finally some good news. that flock of mallards on the water in the second pic is more than I've seen all week

. how are the bird #s out that way scott? Thanxxx

Scott Eveland · 11-20-2009, 08:56 AM

There is a fair amount of birds on the lake in random locations like that bay. Quite a few up on the west end, and hunters are taking a few each day--not a lot of limits.

That Cedar Vue ramp photos didn't show all the six trailers for boat blinds up there at 1100 on a Thursday afternoon...

Scott Eveland · 11-20-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterPayton34

Your right, it is for the better even if it won't be obvious at first.

I'll take a few years of less-than-stellar fishing in exchange for seeing the water back in all those bays again. The vegitation will provide some great cover and it will be a few years before things equalize and fishing gets back to normal.

But there are always fish to be caught at lake McConaughy...

On a side note, I was visiting the Lake Mac Park Office yesterday and the secretary took a phone call from a man who asked if there was water in the canal (NPPD Keystone canal). She explained that there was not due to the Lake Ogallala projects that Central is completing.

The man asked where the h-e-double toothpicks he could fish around here then, and she said there is always Lake McConaughy. He became very irate and yelled at her about the complete lack of places to fish in the panhandle.

He must not get out much...

AnglerX · 11-20-2009, 09:06 AM

I liked it much better when it was low...more access for wading.

(insert ducking smilie here)

Scott Eveland · 11-20-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnglerX

I liked it much better when it was low...more access for wading.

(insert ducking smilie here)

Come a little closer buddy...

{V-8 SLAP to the forehead}

I actually had a newbie complain to me about the "high" water last year. He has no idea... There will be plenty of people complaining about the "high" water and how it takes away some of the sandy beach front. I'm pretty sure with 110 miles of shoreline when it is full, they can find SOMEwhere to park their camper...

**fishinwithdad** · 11-20-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Eveland

I actually had a newbie complain to me about the "high" water last year....

You've got to be kidding!! Has the water really been down so long that an entire group of people don't know what the glory days were like?? Wow... I guess we're really overdue then!

Scott Eveland · 11-20-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishinwithdad

You've got to be kidding!! Has the water really been down so long that an entire group of people don't know what the glory days were like?? Wow... I guess we're really overdue then!

Yep. There are numerous visitors here each year who have no clue what the lake used to look like. They think that high and dry boat ramps are just access points to the beach. You point out the old water line on the dam, morning glory, or rocks and they just look at you like a dog at a new pan. You talk about kids jumping off the "slab" at Martin Bay into the water and they think you are crazy. They have no concept of Omaha Beach actually having a beach.

Bbowsh54 · 11-22-2009, 12:17 AM

Awesome, thanks for sharing! I hope it keeps coming back!

Doug Steinke · 11-22-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

It will also make for some really difficult fishing for a few years. Everyone needs to be patient as the fishery rebuilds itself.

It is already back. My father said guys slabbing this past week were complaining about not being able to catch any keepers... as in they couldn't catch hardly any fish under 22 inches! The pigs that have been caught this fall have been crazy. Buddy has lost count of how many 9-13 pound fish he has caught this fall ... none were kept. A 29-30 inch fish has been weighing about 12 pounds. Very healthy fish.

**Ty S** · 11-23-2009, 12:03 PM

I used to go there about 4 times a year in the years 1995-1999. Only been back twice since and really it made me sick. Really sick to see.

I loved that fishery and it was by far our best walleye fishery in the state. 28" fish were not uncommon.

11-19-2009, 03:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scott Eveland Scott Eveland is exciting about the rising water! Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Water, The West, The Best Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Certified Boating Instructor Posts: 1,461 Thanks: 218 Thanked 581 Times in 258 Posts	Lake McConaughy on the rise! Took these today while out and about. Thought I'd share! This is the highest McConaughy has been since I moved back out here in 2003! Looking down the Spillway Bay boat ramp. Closeup of same. Cedar Vue lakeside ramp--IN USE! Cedar Vue bayside ramp, water is getting close. It is out of the shot to my right, but there is some serious damage to this ramp due to erosion, so it will need some major repairs that may be slow in coming due to the budget crisis. Martin Bay IN THE BAY! Not the one we've called "Martin Bay" for the last seven years that is really just "Martin Beach." And a little closer. That "hump" back there was always there, nobody thought of it when the lake was full. Hopefully nobody will be driving across it ever again! __________________

11-19-2009, 04:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
wneb.fisher wneb.fisher is ready to hit the Hard Water!! Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chadron, NE Posts: 379 Thanks: 196 Thanked 173 Times in 72 Posts	Looks good!! Thanks so much for the update. __________________ "...it's amazing how grown men can turn into squealing, giggling school girls at the mention of a fish or game animal." ~Fishingnerd33~ (This quote was too good not to use.)

11-19-2009, 04:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
holdemplyer holdemplyer is waiting on open water Director Join Date: May 2007 Location: hunting for Kenzies MA gill!!! Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 6,088 Thanks: 850 Thanked 1,389 Times in 821 Posts	Not often you'll hear me say this...... but..... Let it snow let it snow LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!!! Filler'up! __________________ "So I says to Mabel, I says... I'll continue this later." Waiting on the shadow to materialize.... Gone, but never forgotten.

11-19-2009, 05:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Frosch Frosch is ready to breath some salty air. Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: omaha Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 1,804 Thanks: 366 Thanked 350 Times in 198 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Thanks for posting the pics. __________________ Lidičky já mám rád pivo!

11-19-2009, 05:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
fishinwithdad fishinwithdad is spring, spring fever... da- da- daaa!! Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 1,465 Thanks: 602 Thanked 400 Times in 249 Posts	That is a sight to see!! Thanks for posting them. __________________ "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

11-19-2009, 04:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jollensten85 Jollensten85 is wishing it was fish:30. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gretna, NE Posts: 28 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	That is awesome. Haven't been out there for a while but it looks a lot better than the last time I saw it.

11-19-2009, 06:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
buglem buglem is sharpening the Guillotines!!! Director Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elkhorn Posts: 1,206 Thanks: 191 Thanked 341 Times in 183 Posts	Awesome to see the water getting up there a little bit again! Thanks for posting the pics Scott! __________________ You're a strange person, Kevin. But you knew that. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Old Bald Guy

11-19-2009, 06:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
WalterPayton34 WalterPayton34 has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 273 Thanks: 43 Thanked 30 Times in 26 Posts	This will be great for the spawn next year. Lots of extra cover for fry.

11-20-2009, 03:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
luvsitall luvsitall is sitting in the basins for 3 weeks listening togrrr Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: county with NO ducks Posts: 446 Thanks: 281 Thanked 90 Times in 77 Posts	Awesome update, finally some good news. that flock of mallards on the water in the second pic is more than I've seen all week. how are the bird #s out that way scott? Thanxxx

11-20-2009, 08:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
Scott Eveland Scott Eveland is exciting about the rising water! Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Water, The West, The Best Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Certified Boating Instructor Posts: 1,461 Thanks: 218 Thanked 581 Times in 258 Posts	There is a fair amount of birds on the lake in random locations like that bay. Quite a few up on the west end, and hunters are taking a few each day--not a lot of limits. That Cedar Vue ramp photos didn't show all the six trailers for boat blinds up there at 1100 on a Thursday afternoon... __________________

11-20-2009, 09:06 AM	#14 (permalink)
AnglerX AnglerX is resting Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: where the shad are.. Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 3,566 Thanks: 258 Thanked 814 Times in 318 Posts	I liked it much better when it was low...more access for wading. (insert ducking smilie here) __________________ Keeper of the Blue Bucket

11-22-2009, 12:17 AM	#18 (permalink)
Bbowsh54 Bbowsh54 is running out of time to fish this year. Hopefully, I can sneek in a few more weekends. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Eastern SD - Visit NE Frequently Posts: 267 Thanks: 134 Thanked 71 Times in 60 Posts	Awesome, thanks for sharing! I hope it keeps coming back! __________________ Thanks, Bowsh

11-23-2009, 12:03 PM	#20 (permalink)
Ty S Ty S is sunburnt, bloody, and beat! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 6,117 Thanks: 508 Thanked 399 Times in 266 Posts	I used to go there about 4 times a year in the years 1995-1999. Only been back twice since and really it made me sick. Really sick to see. I loved that fishery and it was by far our best walleye fishery in the state. 28" fish were not uncommon. __________________ Ducks Unlimited Waterfowlers Party , Norfolk, NE April 24 100s of decoys, 11 guns, beer, food, and good times included in the $25 ticket price. Contact me for details! Not just for duck hunters. Lots of different prizes.

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