What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Maloney?

Lake Maloney carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Smallmouth bass no minimum + one fish 15 in or longer + 5 aggregate (NGPC special on the Nebraska Public Power District canal from the Sutherland Reservoir outlet to the South Platte confluence, including Lake Maloney); channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in); Lincoln County NPPD reservoir south of North Platte — walleye + wiper + smallmouth + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Maloney?

Yes. Lake Maloney 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 Lake Maloney; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.

Do Lake Maloney's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Maloney 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 Lake Maloney?

Smallmouth bass and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Maloney, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Maloney 2026 — Nebraska Fishing Regulations

Nebraska statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Lake Maloney carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Nebraska's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Smallmouth bass no minimum + one fish 15 in or longer + 5 aggregate (NGPC special on the Nebraska Public Power District canal from the Sutherland Reservoir outlet to the South Platte confluence, including Lake Maloney); channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in); Lincoln County NPPD reservoir south of North Platte — walleye + wiper + smallmouth + channel catfish
Source: Nebraska special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Maloney

Smallmouth bass regulations →
No minimum + one over 15 in + 5 aggregate; NGPC special on the NPPD canal from the Sutherland Reservoir outlet to the South Platte confluence including Lake Maloney
Channel catfish regulations →
10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in); NPPD canal reservoir south of North Platte

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

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Maloney?: Lake Maloney carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Smallmouth bass no minimum + one fish 15 in or longer + 5 aggregate (NGPC special on the Nebraska Public Power District canal from the Sutherland Reservoir outlet to the South Platte confluence, including Lake Maloney); channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in); Lincoln County NPPD reservoir south of North Platte — walleye + wiper + smallmouth + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Maloney?: Yes. Lake Maloney 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 Lake Maloney; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.
Do Lake Maloney's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Maloney 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 Lake Maloney?: Smallmouth bass and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Maloney, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

← Back to Nebraska regulations overview