What special fishing regulations apply at Merritt Reservoir?

Merritt Reservoir carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Largemouth bass, and Smallmouth bass. One of them reads: "Walleye one fish 15–18 in + three over 18 in OR four over 18 in, no more than one over 22 in + 4 / day NGPC SLOT (NE state-record walleye 16 lb 2 oz Merritt 2008 with naturally-reproducing walleye); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate (NGPC inland-waters black-bass rule); muskellunge + tiger muskie 50 in min + 1 / day (NGPC EXCEPTION to the statewide 40-in minimum); crappie 10 in min + 15 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Merritt Reservoir?

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

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

Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Merritt 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 Merritt Reservoir?

Walleye, Largemouth bass, and Smallmouth bass have a water-body-specific rule on Merritt Reservoir, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

2026 regulation year

Merritt Reservoir 2026 — Nebraska Fishing Regulations

Nebraska statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Merritt Reservoir carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of Nebraska's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Merritt Reservoir (NE) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Walleye one fish 15–18 in + three over 18 in OR four over 18 in, no more than one over 22 in + 4 / day NGPC SLOT (NE state-record walleye 16 lb 2 oz Merritt 2008 with naturally-reproducing walleye); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate (NGPC inland-waters black-bass rule); muskellunge + tiger muskie 50 in min + 1 / day (NGPC EXCEPTION to the statewide 40-in minimum); crappie 10 in min + 15 / day combined
Source: Nebraska special-water list

Per-species rules on Merritt Reservoir

Walleye regulations →
One 15–18 in + three over 18 in OR four over 18 in, no more than one over 22 in; 4 / day NGPC SLOT; NE state-record walleye 16 lb 2 oz Merritt 2008; Snake River tributary self-sustaining naturally-reproducing walleye
Largemouth bass regulations →
15 in min + one over 21 in, 5 aggregate
Smallmouth bass regulations →
15 in min + one over 21 in, 5 aggregate (NGPC statewide black-bass rule — McConaughy + Merritt are not listed smallmouth length exceptions); NE state-record smallmouth 6 lb 4 oz Merritt 2003

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 Merritt Reservoir?: Merritt Reservoir carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Largemouth bass, and Smallmouth bass. One of them reads: "Walleye one fish 15–18 in + three over 18 in OR four over 18 in, no more than one over 22 in + 4 / day NGPC SLOT (NE state-record walleye 16 lb 2 oz Merritt 2008 with naturally-reproducing walleye); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate (NGPC inland-waters black-bass rule); muskellunge + tiger muskie 50 in min + 1 / day (NGPC EXCEPTION to the statewide 40-in minimum); crappie 10 in min + 15 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Merritt Reservoir?: Yes. Merritt 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 Merritt Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.
Do Merritt Reservoir's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Merritt 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 Merritt Reservoir?: Walleye, Largemouth bass, and Smallmouth bass have a water-body-specific rule on Merritt Reservoir, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

← Back to Nebraska regulations overview