Supporting Nebraska Game & Parks

Difficulty: Easy

Rainbow Trout are Nebraska’s most commonly stocked trout species and are frequently introduced into urban fisheries during the fall, winter, and spring as part of put-and-take programs. Anglers can reliably find rainbows in locations such as Standing Bear Lake (Omaha), the Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Pond, Holmes Lake (Lincoln), and Lake Ogallala below Lake McConaughy. They are also stocked in many additional waters across the state. Up-to-date stocking information can be found through the Nebraska Game & Parks Fish Stocking Database linked below.

For anglers seeking an added challenge, Rainbow Trout can also be caught in Nebraska’s cold-water streams. Productive moving-water locations include East Verdigre Creek (above Grove Lake), the North Platte River, and the Sutherland Supply Canal below Lake Ogallala, all of which offer opportunities to target wild or holdover rainbows in flowing water conditions.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Brown Trout are found exclusively in Nebraska’s cold-water streams, primarily in the northern and western regions of the state, which makes them somewhat more challenging to locate. For anglers near Lincoln and Omaha, the closest opportunities include East Verdigre Creek above Grove Lake and Long Pine Creek near the town of Long Pine.

In western Nebraska, Brown Trout are more widespread and can be found throughout many of the state’s established trout-supporting streams. Ninemile Creek near Scottsbluff is a popular and productive option. Fort Robinson State Park is another excellent destination, where Brown Trout are commonly encountered in both the White River and Soldier Creek as they flow through park property.

Unlike other trout species, Brown Trout in Nebraska are seldom stocked. Most populations are self-sustaining through natural reproduction, making responsible angling practices especially important to maintain and protect these valuable fisheries.

Difficulty: Intermediate to Very Hard (depending on recent stocking activity)

Cutthroat Trout are among the rarest trout species in Nebraska. Prior to the fall 2019 stocking efforts, Cutthroats were extremely uncommon and were primarily found only in waters within Fort Robinson State Park. Thanks to targeted stocking, the species has become more accessible in recent years, offering anglers additional opportunities to pursue this unique trout.

Productive locations include the White River at Fort Robinson, as well as Middle Soldier Creek and the Woods Reserve Ponds within the Soldier Creek Wilderness Area. Several western and northern Nebraska fisheries also received Cutthroat Trout during the 2019 stocking cycle, and those locations can be referenced in the Nebraska Game & Parks Fish Stocking Database.

Because stocking is limited and varies by year, Cutthroat Trout become significantly more difficult to locate as more time passes after their most recent introduction, making timing and research important for anglers targeting this species.

Difficulty: Very Hard

Brook Trout are often considered the most challenging species to catch for the Nebraska Trout Slam. They are found exclusively in the small, cold-water creeks of the Pine Ridge region in the northwestern panhandle. For anglers in eastern Nebraska, completing the slam will almost certainly require a road trip to this remote and scenic part of the state.

These narrow streams—often only a few feet wide and covered with overhanging grass and trees—create demanding fishing conditions. Accuracy, delicate presentations, and a stealthy approach are essential to avoid spooking these wary fish.

The most reliable locations include Middle Soldier Creek, followed by South Soldier Creek within the Soldier Creek Wilderness near Fort Robinson. Brook Trout can also be found in publicly accessible stretches of other nearby creeks throughout the area.

Brook Trout are not stocked in Nebraska; all populations are wild and sustained through natural reproduction. Because of this, responsible catch-and-release practices are crucial to preserving these unique fisheries. Although difficult to catch, landing a Brook Trout is exceptionally rewarding and a memorable achievement for any angler completing the slam.

Difficulty: Hard to Very Hard

Although Tiger Trout are not officially included in the Nebraska Trout Slam, they can be found in select waters across the state and are often considered the pinnacle achievement—what many Nebraska anglers refer to as the “Nebraska Grand Trout Slam.”

Tiger Trout are a rare hybrid cross between a Brook Trout and a Brown Trout. In the wild, naturally occurring Tiger Trout are extremely uncommon and appear only in waters where both parent species coexist. However, they can be successfully raised in hatcheries, and limited stocking efforts in Nebraska have made them more attainable in recent years.

The most reliable locations to target Tiger Trout include the Woods Reserve Ponds within the Soldier Creek Wilderness Area, as well as Lake Ogallala and its associated waters. These fisheries offer anglers a unique opportunity to pursue this striking and elusive hybrid trout.