Cedar River Fishing Guides
A clear, stable Sandhills-fed river near Fullerton, running far steadier than a plains river has any right to.
Guides on the Cedar River
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About the Cedar River
The Cedar River runs southeast out of the Nebraska Sandhills through Nance County and joins the Loup River near Fullerton. It is one of a group of central Nebraska rivers that behave quite unlike the plains rivers further east, and the reason is the Sandhills themselves: the dunes act as an enormous groundwater reservoir, and the rivers draining them are fed continuously from below rather than by surface runoff.
The practical consequence is a river that runs clear, cool and remarkably steady. Where a typical prairie river swings between flood and trickle, the Cedar holds a consistent flow through the year and clears quickly after rain. The gauge near Fullerton shows this plainly, and anglers used to reading gauges on flashier water are often surprised by how narrow the range is. High water happens, mostly with heavy spring rain or rapid snowmelt, but it is the exception rather than the rhythm.
Channel catfish are the most numerous quarry and are the fish most local anglers are after, holding in the deeper bends and under the log jams. Flatheads are present in the bigger holes and run to a serious size. Smallmouth bass use the faster gravel runs and the rock, and the river’s clarity makes them genuinely fun to fish for with light tackle. Northern pike are found in the slower stretches and backwaters, and walleye move up from the Loup. Access is the limiting factor: this is farm and ranch country, the river runs mostly through private land, and public access points are few. Bridge crossings and permission are the practical routes in, and asking is the normal and expected thing to do here.
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Access
Fullerton - the nearest town to the gauge, with basic services, fuel and the closest river access.
Loup River - the larger river the Cedar joins below Fullerton, holding catfish, walleye and pike.
Ericson - upstream in Wheeler County, nearer the Sandhills headwaters and the clearest water.
Cedar Rapids - the small town upstream on the river, with a bridge crossing and local access.
Genoa - downstream near the Loup confluence, with additional access and services.
Columbus - the larger town southeast at the Platte confluence, with lodging, groceries and tackle.
Calamus Reservoir - to the northwest in the Sandhills, a major walleye and pike fishery worth a day.
Seasons
Spring: high with snowmelt and rain at times, but clearing fast, and pike and walleye active early.
Summer: the main catfish season, fished through the warm months with flatheads best worked after dark.
Fall: clear, settled and pleasant, with smallmouth feeding hard and catfish still taking well.
Winter: cold and quiet, with limited access and only the deepest holes holding catchable fish.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Cedar River?
As of Oct 18, 4:45 pm, the USGS gauge Cedar River near Fullerton, Nebr. reads 266 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Cedar River?
Anglers target Carp, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Sucker on the Cedar River in Nebraska.
Where can you access the Cedar River?
Fullerton - the nearest town to the gauge, with basic services, fuel and the closest river access. Loup River - the larger river the Cedar joins below Fullerton, holding catfish, walleye and pike. Ericson - upstream in Wheeler County, nearer the Sandhills headwaters and the clearest water. Cedar Rapids - the small town upstream on the river, with a bridge crossing and local access. Genoa - downstream near the Loup confluence, with additional access and services. Columbus - the larger town southeast at the Platte confluence, with lodging, groceries and tackle. Calamus Reservoir - to the northwe...
When is the best time to fish the Cedar River?
Spring: high with snowmelt and rain at times, but clearing fast, and pike and walleye active early. Summer: the main catfish season, fished through the warm months with flatheads best worked after dark. Fall: clear, settled and pleasant, with smallmouth feeding hard and catfish still taking well. Winter: cold and quiet, with limited access and only the deepest holes holding catchable fish.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Cedar River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Nebraska agency site: https://outdoornebraska.gov/guides-maps/fishing-guides-reports/