Harlan County Lake

Lake fishing Nebraska · 05:35 - 19:51

Harlan County Lake is a lake in Nebraska. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.

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Good 62% The bite right now

Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 25 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

74%

90°

Mon

70%

95°

Tue

74%

85°

Wed

72%

78°

Thu

74%

90°

Fri

75%

94°

Best day

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather

Clear sky

Water temp (est.)

76°F

Air temp

72°F

Wind

8 mph

Pressure

30.09 inHg ↓ falling

Clouds

0.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-08-01 17:20

Best times today

Dawn 04:50–06:50 Day 06:50–18:36 Dusk 18:36–20:36

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit

Major period 01:51–03:51 Major period 13:51–15:51 Minor period 20:22–21:52 Minor period 07:51–09:21

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

09:00

72°

10:00

76°

11:00

78°

12:00

80°

13:00

82°

14:00

83°

15:00

84°

16:00

85°

17:00

84°

18:00

84°

19:00

81°

20:00

77°

Likely catch now (17 species)

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

62%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 25 degrees.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

40%

Water near its preferred 25 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

37%

Water near its preferred 25 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

36%

Water near its preferred 25 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

30%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 25 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

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White Bass

Morone chrysops

29%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 25 degrees, off season, bright sky slows things.

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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Blue Catfish and White Bass.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.

Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.

Colour Clear water and good light: try natural bait, small earth tones for bluegill.

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

The Harlan County Reservoir includes a dam and a reservoir of 13,250 acres (54 km2) located in Harlan County in south-central Nebraska. Its southernmost part extends into northern Phillips County, Kansas. The reservoir is formed by a dam constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Republican River, which starts in Colorado and ends in Kansas.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Kirwin Reservoir Kansas · 29.5 mi away Waconda Lake Kansas · 61.9 mi away Lovewell Reservoir Kansas · 65.9 mi away Wilson Reservoir Kansas · 86.7 mi away Pibel Reservoir Nebraska · 123.9 mi away Conestoga Lake Nebraska · 137.6 mi away Bluestem Lake Nebraska · 137.7 mi away Bowling Lake Nebraska · 143.5 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Harlan County Lake?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Blue Catfish, White Bass, Common Carp and Channel Catfish.

Do you need a fishing license at Harlan County Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Harlan County Lake?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Harlan County Lake right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 40%.