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Nebraska
State, United States. Authority: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
Trout season 2027: all 50 states
Trout season 2027 guide: 50 statesPDF + online version · instant access
- Licence
- US$375Nonresident 5-Year Fish (2025-2029)
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 101.6 cmMuskellunge / tiger muskie
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Not published by the authority: check with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC).
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–110 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted)5 Inland waters: 15-inch minimum; only one 21 inches or longer (Missouri River NE/IA-MO: 12-inch minimum) | 38.1 cm | |
| Walleye / sauger / saugeye6 Inland waters: 15-inch minimum; only one 22 inches or longer | 38.1 cm | |
| Muskellunge / tiger muskie7 Statewide 40-inch minimum | 101.6 cm |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (combined)5 Inland waters, 10 in possession (aggregate) | 5 per day |
| Walleye / sauger / saugeye6 Inland waters, 8 in possession | 4 per day |
| Northern pike7 Statewide: no minimum, only one 34 inches or longer; 10 in possession | 3 per day |
| Brown / rainbow / tiger / cutbow trout5 Statewide: no minimum, only one 16 inches or longer (brown 10 in possession, rainbow/tiger/cutbow 12) | 5 per day |
| Brook and cutthroat trout5 Statewide: only one 12 inches or longer; 4 in possession | 2 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fish (Aquatic Habitat Stamp and $3 issue fee included)1 | annual | US$41 |
| Resident Annual Fish1 | annual | US$41 |
| Resident 1-Day Fish1 | 1-day | US$12 |
| Resident 3-Day Fish1 | 3-day | US$33 |
| Resident 3-Year Fish (2025-2027)1 | 3-year | US$98.50 |
| Resident 5-Year Fish (2025-2029)1 | 5-year | US$146 |
| Nonresident Annual Fish1 | annual | US$95.50 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Fish1 | 1-day | US$12 |
| Nonresident 3-Day Fish1 | 3-day | US$40 |
| Nonresident 3-Year Fish (2025-2027)1 | 3-year | US$248.50 |
| Nonresident 5-Year Fish (2025-2029)1 | 5-year | US$375 |
Buy the licence on outdoornebraska.gov
- Ages and exemptions2
- The Nebraska fishing permit is required for anyone age 16 or older (under 16 not required).
Good to know
Aquatic Habitat Stamp fee is included in all resident fishing permit prices (except paddlefish, veteran, senior fish/hunt and disabled permits). Nonresident boaters with out-of-state registered motorized watercraft need an Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp. Paddlefish by draw permit (resident $35, nonresident $60).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- no trout season found in the 2026 guide (no closed season stated; not confirmed as year-round)
- senior permit price not captured
- resident and nonresident 1-day both shown as $12 on the official pricing page (as published)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Harlan County Reservoir reservoir, Harlan County View on the map
- Calamus Reservoir reservoir, Loup County View on the map
- Swanson Reservoir reservoir, Hitchcock County View on the map
- Sherman Reservoir reservoir, Sherman County View on the map
- Merritt Reservoir reservoir, Cherry County View on the map
- Lake Minatare lake, Scotts Bluff County View on the map
- Johnson Lake lake, Gosper & Dawson County View on the map
- Medicine Creek Reservoir reservoir, Frontier County View on the map
- Branched Oak Lake lake, Lancaster County View on the map
- Red Willow Reservoir reservoir, Frontier County View on the map
- Box Butte Reservoir reservoir, Dawes County View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Nebraska in 2026?
The “Nonresident 5-Year Fish (2025-2029)” licence costs US$375 (5-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Nebraska?
Muskellunge: 101.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- NGPC - Permit Pricing (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NGPC - Fishing Permits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NGPC - Fishing Guide (2026 digital guide: digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1542421-fishing-guide-2026) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NGPC - 2026 Nebraska Fishing Guide (official digital guide, text view) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1542421-fishing-guide-2026/9
- digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1542421-fishing-guide-2026/7
- digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1542421-fishing-guide-2026/11
Last checked: 23 September 2026.
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