Nebraska’s Lake Wanahoo Set to Open at 8 a.m. on April 28
OutdoorHub 04.22.12
Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area (SRA) will open to the public at 8 a.m. on April 28. It is located just north of Wahoo in Saunders County.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission asks visitors to be patient on access roads and at the boat ramp as a large crowd is expected. The agency has the following suggestions for opening-day visitors:
— Purchase park entry and fishing permits before arriving. The required park permit will be sold at the SRA but fishing permits will not. By purchasing park permits before arriving, visitors may avoid long waits. Permits may be purchased at Game and Parks offices, OutdoorNebraska.org, or from permit vendors, including these near Lake Wanahoo: Wahoo Bait and Tackle, Security Home Bank in Malmo, State Bank of Colon, and Commercial State Bank in Cedar Bluffs.
— Boaters should be aware of the 5 mph/no wake restriction.
— Anglers should be aware of special regulations that prohibit the harvest of northern pike and the use or possession of live baitfish. There also is a 21-inch minimum length restriction on largemouth bass.
— Vehicles should stay on the hard surfaces, as seeded grass has not become established.
Lake Wanahoo is owned by the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (LPNNRD), but the SRA is managed by Game and Parks. The area south of the breakwater that spans the lake is the SRA. Day-use facilities are on the east side overnight and boating facilities are on the west side. The area north of the breakwater is a wildlife area managed in a cooperative agreement between the LPNNRD and Pheasants Forever and serves as a Passing Along the Heritage site for mentored youth hunts.
Anglers will find quality fishing and excellent access at the 662-acre lake. It has been stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, blue catfish, walleye and northern pike. The lake contains approximately 2,100 2-year-old pike, with females up to 30 inches in length and males up to 24 inches.
The SRA has four fishing breakwaters on the west shore and three on the east. One jetty on each shore is wheelchair accessible. The lake north of the breakwater is accessible to fishing via boat and mowed grass trails.
Lake Wanahoo boaters will find a ramp wide enough to accommodate three boats at the same time. Near the ramp on the west side are camping facilities, which include 50 gravel RV pads with electricity, 24 grass pads with electricity and 60 tent camping sites.
