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Fishing Niobrara River: what the data says
Cornell Dam (Valentine) to Rocky Ford The river tops out around 8 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. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Channel Catfish fishing at Niobrara River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6), a creek channel in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Niobrara River
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 10.6), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Common Carp fishing at Niobrara River
Spring common carp on Niobrara River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): a creek channel around 6 ft that scores prime in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Niobrara River?
Niobrara River is about 8 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 Niobrara River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, common carp on Niobrara River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Niobrara River?
Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 6 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 Niobrara 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
Valentine Mill Pond · Hackberry Lake · Pelican Lake · West Long Lake · Willow Lake · Merritt Reservoir
See how Niobrara River stacks up: best channel catfish 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.