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Fishing North Platte River: what the data says
Oshkosh to Lewellen (McConaughy inlet) The river tops out around 10 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. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Channel Catfish fishing at North Platte River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 8.2) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
Walleye fishing at North Platte River
Spring walleye on North Platte River hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Riffle & run (mile 2.5): a rock pile around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
White Bass fishing at North Platte River
Spring white bass on North Platte River hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 0.6): a current seam around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | see map |
Common Carp fishing at North Platte River
Start shallow in spring: common carp sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 8.2), a creek channel in about 8 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 | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Current seam (mile 0.6): current seam, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 4.4): current seam, around 6 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 2.5): rock pile, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 6.3): rock pile, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 10.1): rock pile, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 11.9): rock pile, around 4 ft
Common questions
How deep is North Platte River?
North Platte River is about 10 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 North Platte River?
Anglers target walleye, white bass, channel catfish, common carp on North Platte River.
Where is the best fishing spot on North Platte River?
Outside-bend hole (mile 8.2) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 8 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 North Platte 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
Crescent Lake · Lake McConaughy · Blue Lake · Island Lake · Lake Ogallala · Smith Lake
See how North Platte River stacks up: best walleye lakes in Nebraska · best white bass lakes in Nebraska · 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.