Lake McConaughy

08/15/2026

Three local vendors are providing boat launching services: Van's Lakeview, 308-287-8267; Ski Patrol, 308-726-7368; and Big Mac Marina, 308-355-5555.

Please reach out directly to NE Game and Parks with any park questions - this page is a service of the local tourism committee. 🙂

08/15/2026

Lake McConaughy still looks like this. ❤️

☀️ Yes, we're in a severe drought — the lake is at its lowest level in 20 years. But with 432,300 acre-feet of water, it's STILL holding more volume than any other lake in Nebraska, Colorado, or Kansas. 💧432,300 acre-feet is enough to cover the entire city of Lincoln, Nebraska under more than 7 feet of water.

⛵️Your favorite lake is still here. So are all the wonderful family-owned businesses and restaurants across Keith County.

🏖️ There’s still time for a summer getaway … and we can’t wait to see you.

🎥: thanks to Scott Michael

08/13/2026

There's still time to tour the elegant Mansion on the Hill Museum in Ogallala this summer! Open Wednesday through Sunday through Labor Day Weekend.

08/12/2026

📷: thanks to Abigail Bernall for sharing this personal best for Jamison!

08/12/2026

🚧 8.15.26 UPDATE ON BOAT ACCESS: Following last night's storm, NGP says the dock at Spillway Bay has been pulled for the season. With declining levels, there is no concrete left and people are getting stuck in the muddy sand at the end of the ramp. Using the tractor launch services is recommended.

🚧 8.11.26 UPDATE ON THE MUD FLAT LINE: Due to declining water levels, operators of boats and personal watercraft are advised to AVOID GOING WEST OF THE RED LINE in this graphic. The mud flat line now begins just west of Van's Lakeview, and is subject to change as lake volume drops.
🚧 Please be aware that boaters have gotten stuck in the sandy, silty mud at the west end and had to be rescued. Appearances can be deceiving. A small amount of water atop the saturated mud can look like water as you approach. If you do get stuck, do not get out of the boat into the mud. Call 911 for emergencies or the NE State Patrol dispatch at (308) 535-8047.
🚧 Resources are available for rescue but they are limited. Officials say rescue efforts will prioritize people, not property. (i.e. they will come get you, but not your boat/personal watercraft)

08/11/2026

📷: thanks to Abigail Bernall for sharing this personal best for Jaxson!

𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧
🎣 Water temperature is about 78°F.

Anglers hoping to land a Lake Mac wiper are trolling lures and spinner baits. Walleye are still are being caught, often on crankbaits in 20-25 foot of water. "Follow the birds" remains the best strategy for targeting white bass near schools of bait fish. Small mouth bass are being caught on the dam. Catfish are being caught regularly around the whole lake. Trout are being caught in the river and canal below Lake Ogallala as well as the little lake itself.

🚤 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦
𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗰 tractor 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲d for all boat launching. 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: 𝗩𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄, 𝟯𝟬𝟴-𝟮𝟴𝟳-𝟴𝟮𝟲𝟳; 𝗦𝗸𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹, 𝟯𝟬𝟴-𝟳𝟮𝟲-𝟳𝟯𝟲𝟴; 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮, 𝟯𝟬𝟴-𝟯𝟱𝟱-𝟱𝟱𝟱𝟱.
🔸 (The dock at 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄 water ramp has been removed for the season following the 8/14 storm.)
🔸𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮 (𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵)

🎣 LAKE EVENTS:
Hobie Fleet 61 August 21-23

🏕️ Nebraska Game and Parks would like to remind everyone that campfires are allowed but must be in a fire pit.

🚫Alcohol is not allowed at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala.

🚧 Boats and jet skis are advised to avoid traveling west of Van's Lakeview.

💧 Water level: 3205 Elevation
445,300 acre feet
Inflow this week: 100 cubic feet per second
Outflow this week: 2500 cubic feet per second.
For daily updates visit https://cnppid.com/lake-river-data

🗓️ RESERVATION INFO:
Make reservations at https://outdoornebraska.gov/ and click reservations on the top right corner of the screen, or call the Reservations hot line at 1-844-637-2757 from 8-5 Monday to Friday and 8-4 Saturday and Sunday.
⛺️Reservations for beach camping may be made 30 days in advance and reservations for modern camp grounds with electricity can be made 180 days in advance.
As of Aug 11, 2026, Lake Mcconaughy was 21.03 % booked - meaning there are 45 basic, 75 electric, and 877 primitive sites available. Lake Ogallala was 32% booked, meaning there are 92 Basic sites and 28 Electric sites available.

(Thanks to Patrick Schnell of NGP for outdoor report info!)

📋: See a complete list of lake FAQs here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GH8eU62io/?mibextid=wwXIf

08/09/2026

We love seeing the lake through your eyes! 🤩


📷: thanks to Kinsley for sharing!

08/08/2026

🛟 Please share. 🛟

08/08/2026

🚜Explanation of Van's Lakeview Fishing Camp, Inc.’s in-and-out ticket system ⬇️

(😂”Saving Marriages since 1966. You guys are great.” Linda S.)

As the water continues to drop, we are still offering our launch service by tug. To use our service, you do not need to schedule a time, just drop by our store during our hours of operation, (which are posted on Google) and purchase an In&Out ticket. Our launch service varies in price depending on what we are launching. This is a service provided by us and all prices are round trip, getting you in and out of the water. Listed below is how we categorize based on classification.
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Fishing Boat & Jet Skis
$20.00 round trip (Red In & Out Ticket)
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In-Board/Out-Board Motor
$25.00 round trip (White In & Out Ticket)
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Pontoon Boats under 25'
$25.00 round trip (White In & Out Ticket)
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Surf, Ski Boats & Tritoon's
$30.00 round trip (Blue In & Out Ticket)
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