What special fishing regulations apply at Sutherland Reservoir?

Sutherland Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in) + 20 in possession (NGPC-listed canal-system exception); Lincoln County Nebraska Public Power District power-plant cooling reservoir on the South Platte supply canal — warm-water wiper + walleye + largemouth + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Sutherland Reservoir?

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

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

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

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

2026 regulation year

Sutherland Reservoir 2026 — Nebraska Fishing Regulations

Nebraska statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Sutherland Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Nebraska's 2026 fishing rules — covering 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

Channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in) + 20 in possession (NGPC-listed canal-system exception); Lincoln County Nebraska Public Power District power-plant cooling reservoir on the South Platte supply canal — warm-water wiper + walleye + largemouth + channel catfish
Source: Nebraska special-water list

Per-species rules on Sutherland Reservoir

Channel catfish regulations →
10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in); NPPD power-plant cooling reservoir on the South Platte supply canal

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 Sutherland Reservoir?: Sutherland Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in) + 20 in possession (NGPC-listed canal-system exception); Lincoln County Nebraska Public Power District power-plant cooling reservoir on the South Platte supply canal — warm-water wiper + walleye + largemouth + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Sutherland Reservoir?: Yes. Sutherland 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 Sutherland Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.
Do Sutherland Reservoir's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Sutherland 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 Sutherland Reservoir?: Channel catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Sutherland Reservoir, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

← Back to Nebraska regulations overview