What special fishing regulations apply at Sandhills Lakes Region?

Sandhills Lakes Region carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Self-sustaining largemouth + bluegill + black crappie + yellow perch + northern pike populations on most lakes; NGPC stocked walleye + muskie + tiger muskie on listed lakes; spring-fed alkaline lakes; NGPC standard rules apply (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate, crappie 15 / day combined, walleye 15 in min + one over 22 in + 4 / day); one of the most extensive temperate dune-lake systems in North America." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Sandhills Lakes Region?

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

Do Sandhills Lakes Region's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Sandhills Lakes Region 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 Sandhills Lakes Region?

Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Sandhills Lakes Region, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

2026 regulation year

Sandhills Lakes Region 2026 — Nebraska Fishing Regulations

Nebraska statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

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

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State-level special regulation

Self-sustaining largemouth + bluegill + black crappie + yellow perch + northern pike populations on most lakes; NGPC stocked walleye + muskie + tiger muskie on listed lakes; spring-fed alkaline lakes; NGPC standard rules apply (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate, crappie 15 / day combined, walleye 15 in min + one over 22 in + 4 / day); one of the most extensive temperate dune-lake systems in North America
Source: Nebraska special-water list

Per-species rules on Sandhills Lakes Region

Largemouth bass regulations →
15 in min + one over 21 in, 5 aggregate (NGPC inland-waters rule); self-sustaining largemouth on spring-fed alkaline groundwater-supported lakes

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 Sandhills Lakes Region?: Sandhills Lakes Region carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "Self-sustaining largemouth + bluegill + black crappie + yellow perch + northern pike populations on most lakes; NGPC stocked walleye + muskie + tiger muskie on listed lakes; spring-fed alkaline lakes; NGPC standard rules apply (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate, crappie 15 / day combined, walleye 15 in min + one over 22 in + 4 / day); one of the most extensive temperate dune-lake systems in North America." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Sandhills Lakes Region?: Yes. Sandhills Lakes Region 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 Sandhills Lakes Region; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.
Do Sandhills Lakes Region's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Sandhills Lakes Region 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 Sandhills Lakes Region?: Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Sandhills Lakes Region, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

← Back to Nebraska regulations overview