Sutherland Reservoir

North Sutherland Reservoir in Lincoln County is a reservoir in Nebraska with 3,000 acres and about 65,019.2 acre-feet of storage.

This Platte River system reservoir has open water, rocky banks and water movement that can group up white bass and wipers.

How to Fish Sutherland Reservoir

At Sutherland Reservoir, start with points, the old creek path and the first drop outside shallow water.

For the reservoir, watch for birds and surface splashes, but keep a jig ready for fish holding below the fast action.

Fish and Baits at Sutherland Reservoir

Fish listed for the reservoir include Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Wiper, and Yellow Perch.

Bass

For smallmouth bass at Sutherland Reservoir, try a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait along rock and clean drops.

Crappie, Sunfish and Perch

For yellow perch at Sutherland Reservoir, try a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom near weeds or a drop.

Walleye and Open-Water Fish

For walleye at Sutherland Reservoir, try a jig and minnow, crawler rig or crankbait on points, flats and channel edges; for white bass at the reservoir, try a small spoon, jig or shad-colored crankbait where baitfish bunch up. For wiper at Sutherland Reservoir, try a shad-colored swimbait, spoon or crankbait cast to fast-moving schools; for freshwater drum at the reservoir, try a worm, jig or small piece of cut bait near bottom.

Catfish and Carp

For channel catfish at the reservoir, try cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on flats and channel edges.

Seasonal Fishing at Sutherland Reservoir

Spring on Sutherland Reservoir usually starts near the warmest protected bank, shallow wood or the first green weeds. During summer at Sutherland Reservoir, fish early around shallow cover, then back out toward the creek path or a nearby drop. In fall, follow cooling water and moving bait toward points, green weeds and wind-hit banks at Sutherland Reservoir.

A Practical Plan for Sutherland Reservoir

On the first pass at Sutherland Reservoir, use one moving bait to find active fish and one slower bait to work the best-looking cover, changing depth before replacing everything in the box.

Wind can help on Sutherland Reservoir by pushing food toward a bank or point, but hard wind can muddy shallow water; compare the windy side with one protected area before settling in.

Keep a short note after fishing Sutherland Reservoir: water color, wind direction, useful depth and the cover that produced. Those details from Sutherland Reservoir make the next trip easier to plan.

Tackle for Sutherland Reservoir

A medium spinning rod with 8- to 12-pound line covers jigs, small crankbaits and many bait rigs on Sutherland Reservoir; add a heavier outfit only when the listed fish or thick cover calls for it.

Sutherland Reservoir FAQs

What should I check first after the wind changes on North Sutherland Reservoir in Lincoln County?

Compare a wind-hit point with a protected creek side on Sutherland Reservoir, and let clearer water or visible bait decide the next move.

What is a simple bait for channel catfish at North Sutherland Reservoir in Lincoln County?

A good first choice on Sutherland Reservoir is cut bait or a worm; change its depth before replacing everything in the box.

How should I cover the 3,000 acres at North Sutherland Reservoir in Lincoln County?

Pick one section of Sutherland Reservoir and test shallow cover, a nearby drop and open water before making a long move.