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Shared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
Fishing Elkhorn River: what the data says
Norfolk to Waterloo The river tops out around 6 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Channel Catfish fishing at Elkhorn River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 14.3), a creek channel in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Elkhorn River
Spring flathead catfish on Elkhorn River hold shallow, usually 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 14.3) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for summer flathead catfish. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday |
Freshwater Drum fishing at Elkhorn River
Start shallow in spring: freshwater drum sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 14.3) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for summer freshwater drum. Plan around the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Jig + curly tail (bounced), Small blade bait |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | Jig + crawler combo, Small crankbait (slow) |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Blade bait (vertical), Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Jigging spoon (slow) |
Common Carp fishing at Elkhorn River
Spring common carp on Elkhorn River hold shallow, usually 1 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 1 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 14.3), a creek channel in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for common carp in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 1 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 39.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 41.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 43.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 45.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 47.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 56.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 58.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 60.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 66.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 69.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 71.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 75.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Elkhorn River?
Elkhorn River is about 6 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Elkhorn River?
Anglers target channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, common carp on Elkhorn River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Elkhorn River?
Outside-bend hole (mile 14.3) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Elkhorn River?
For channel catfish, the summer bite is best in after dark and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Czechland Lake · Fremont Lake 7 and 8 · Fremont Lake 4 · Fremont Lake 5 · Maple Creek Reservoir · Fremont Lakes 2
See how Elkhorn River stacks up: best channel catfish lakes in Nebraska · best flathead catfish lakes in Nebraska · best freshwater drum lakes in Nebraska · best common carp lakes in Nebraska
Browse all Nebraska fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.