What special fishing regulations apply at Elwood Reservoir?

Elwood Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye. One of them reads: "Walleye special slot — one fish 15 to 18 in plus three longer than 18 in OR four longer than 18 in, no more than one 22 in or longer + 4 / day + 8 in possession (the NGPC slot shared with Harlan County Lake + Merritt Reservoir); Gosper County Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation canal reservoir south of Lexington — premier south-central walleye + wiper + smallmouth water." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Elwood Reservoir?

Yes. Elwood Reservoir is in Nebraska, so a valid Nebraska fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Elwood Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.

Do Elwood Reservoir's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Elwood Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Elwood Reservoir?

Walleye has a water-body-specific rule on Elwood Reservoir, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

2026 regulation year

Elwood Reservoir 2026 — Nebraska Fishing Regulations

Nebraska statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Elwood Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Nebraska's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Walleye special slot — one fish 15 to 18 in plus three longer than 18 in OR four longer than 18 in, no more than one 22 in or longer + 4 / day + 8 in possession (the NGPC slot shared with Harlan County Lake + Merritt Reservoir); Gosper County Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation canal reservoir south of Lexington — premier south-central walleye + wiper + smallmouth water
Source: Nebraska special-water list

Per-species rules on Elwood Reservoir

Walleye regulations →
One 15–18 in plus three over 18 in OR four over 18 in, no more than one 22 in or longer; 4 / day; Gosper County Central NE Public Power canal reservoir (the same NGPC walleye slot as Harlan County Lake + Merritt Reservoir)

Official source

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) publishes the authoritative 2026 Nebraska fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Nebraska fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Nebraska Game & Parks Commission's emergency-order feed — check it before any Nebraska trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Nebraska

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Elwood Reservoir?: Elwood Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye. One of them reads: "Walleye special slot — one fish 15 to 18 in plus three longer than 18 in OR four longer than 18 in, no more than one 22 in or longer + 4 / day + 8 in possession (the NGPC slot shared with Harlan County Lake + Merritt Reservoir); Gosper County Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation canal reservoir south of Lexington — premier south-central walleye + wiper + smallmouth water." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Elwood Reservoir?: Yes. Elwood Reservoir is in Nebraska, so a valid Nebraska fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Elwood Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.
Do Elwood Reservoir's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Elwood Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Elwood Reservoir?: Walleye has a water-body-specific rule on Elwood Reservoir, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

← Back to Nebraska regulations overview