Smith Lake is located 27 miles south of Rushville on Highway 250. It has a concrete boat ramp and dock, a primitive campground and picnic area. You can visit Smith Lake for fishing in the summer or winter. You can go for hunting, bird-watching, camping or you can go to experience one of the most scenic and remote highways in the Panhandle. Don’t count on fishing from the shore because it is surrounded by reeds but you can expect to catch yellow perch, bluegill, black bullhead and sunfish. It’s a no wake zone, with boat speeds restricted to 5 mph. The 290 acre lake is surrounded by a wildlife management area where hunting is allowed for deer, dove, grouse, pheasant, rabbits, turkeys, and waterfowl. It’s a popular destination for birding. Avid observers report seeing grebes, terns, woodpeckers, phoebes, bluebirds, bobolinks, red-winged blackbirds, long-eared owls, black-necked stilts, piping plover and marbled godwit.

Perhaps best known as the home of the Walgren Lake Monster, this northwestern Nebraska attraction on the edge of the Sandhills offers a wide variety of activities in a serene setting. Whether or not you see the Walgren Lake Monster, a mythical Loch Ness Monster that made national headlines decades ago, with a little luck you might see monsters of another variety – fish. The 50 acre lake is known for its excellent panfish population, shaded campgrounds and stone picnic shelter. The lake is located 2 1/2 miles east of Hay Springs and 2 1/2 miles south of US Highway 20 on gravel roads.

Sunset Park is located at the intersection of Highway 87 and Highway 20. Several wildlife sculptures carved with a chainsaw out of old tree stumps grace Sunset Park.

Centennial Park is located on the corner of 1st and Main Street in downtown Hay Springs. The Korean War Veteran Memorial that was constructed in 2002 is located in this park.

Winship Park is approximately 3 acres and is located on Oak Street between 3rd & 4th Streets. A new playground set was installed recently. Winship Park is the home to the Tri-State Cowboy Museum and also has a gazebo that functions as one of three entertainment stages for the Willow Tree Festival.

Wayland Park is approximately 11 acres and is located just to the north of the interection of West 4th Street and Pine Street. The city’s swimming pool is located within Wayland Park. Wayland Park also has the Lion’s Club Shelter which is able to be rented for private groups and two tennis courts.

Fairview Park is approximately 4.8 acres and is located at the east end of Fairview Drive. Fairview Park has a playground with a curly slide. This park also has a baseball/softball diamond and an open field that can be used for soccer or other sports.

302 West Second Street
Rushville, NE 69360

The city park in Rushville covers approximately 25 acres and has an indoor swimming pool, baseball field, football field, softball fields and picnic area. A walking trail and playground afford safe family fun.

www.outdoornebraska.gov

Shell lake – 15 miles northeast of Gordon – fishing – bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass, pike, perch. Power boats – 5mph limit
Smith Lake – 23 miles south of Rushville or 25 miles north of Lakeside – fishing – bluegill, black crappie, bullhead, largemouth bass, yellow perch, pike, walleye, Primitive camping, boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake).
Walgren Lake – 5 miles southeast of Hay Springs – fishing – bluegill, bullhead, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, crappie – Primitive camping, motor boats limited to 5 mph (no wake)

<< Back

30 miles south of Gordon
308-360-0664
www.deermeadowoutfitters.com

In the heart of the Sandhills, our 5 lakes offer boating and fishing as well as a relaxing atmosphere for your family’s private getaway. Lodging available. Hunting and guide service. Big game, Upland bird and waterfowl hunting. Bird viewing guide, horse boarding, hiking guide service are available.

<< Back