What special fishing regulations apply at Sherman Reservoir?

Sherman Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye and Smallmouth bass. One of them reads: "Walleye 20- to 28-inch protected slot (no harvest), two between 15 and 20 in + one over 28 in + 3 / day NGPC SLOT; tiger muskie 40 in min + 1 / day (NE state-record tiger muskie 41 lb 8 oz Sherman 2018 — NGPC stocking program); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate; 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 Sherman Reservoir?

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

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

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

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

2026 regulation year

Sherman Reservoir 2026 — Nebraska Fishing Regulations

Nebraska statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

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

Get change alerts

Watch Sherman 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 20- to 28-inch protected slot (no harvest), two between 15 and 20 in + one over 28 in + 3 / day NGPC SLOT; tiger muskie 40 in min + 1 / day (NE state-record tiger muskie 41 lb 8 oz Sherman 2018 — NGPC stocking program); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate; crappie 10 in min + 15 / day combined
Source: Nebraska special-water list

Per-species rules on Sherman Reservoir

Walleye regulations →
20- to 28-inch protected slot (no harvest), two between 15 and 20 in + one over 28 in; 3 / day NGPC SLOT
Smallmouth bass regulations →
15 in min + one over 21 in, 5 aggregate

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 Sherman Reservoir?: Sherman Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye and Smallmouth bass. One of them reads: "Walleye 20- to 28-inch protected slot (no harvest), two between 15 and 20 in + one over 28 in + 3 / day NGPC SLOT; tiger muskie 40 in min + 1 / day (NE state-record tiger muskie 41 lb 8 oz Sherman 2018 — NGPC stocking program); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass 15 in min + one over 21 in + 5 aggregate; 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 Sherman Reservoir?: Yes. Sherman 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 Sherman Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.
Do Sherman Reservoir's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Sherman 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 Sherman Reservoir?: Walleye and Smallmouth bass have a water-body-specific rule on Sherman Reservoir, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

← Back to Nebraska regulations overview