Alexandria State Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Small 60-acre lake in southeastern Nebraska — popular local fishing and picnic destination in the Little Blue River watershed. The Little Blue River was an important landmark on the Oregon Trail — emigrants followed its valley for over 100 miles.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Thayer County, NE |
| Entry Fee | NE Park Permit Required |
| Size | 60 acres |
About Alexandria
Alexandria State Recreation Area near Alexandria in south-central Nebraska provides camping and fishing around a 45-acre lake. The park sits along the Oregon Trail route — pioneers passed through this area on their westward migration. The lake is stocked with trout, bass, and catfish, making it a popular regional fishing destination.
Things to Do
Fishing for trout, bass, and catfish, camping (45 sites with electric), swimming at the beach, hiking, picnicking, and winter activities including cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
About Alexandria
Alexandria State Recreation Area in Thayer County sits along the Oregon Trail corridor in south-central Nebraska. The 52-acre lake provides fishing and camping just off U.S. Highway 81. The area lies in the Republican River watershed — historically one of Nebraska’s most productive agricultural zones, settled by homesteaders who broke the tough prairie sod with steel plows in the 1860s and 1870s.
Things to Do
Fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish, camping (44 pads with electric hookups), swimming at the beach, hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching in the mixed-grass prairie transition zone of south-central Nebraska.
Insider Tips
Small-town Nebraska: Alexandria Lake is a hidden gem in southeast Nebraska’s farmland — peaceful fishing and camping without crowds. Pro tip: Channel catfish are the star here — fish at night with cut bait for the best action. Sandhill crane connection: Nebraska is the staging ground for 500,000+ sandhill cranes each spring — Alexandria is within striking distance of the Platte River viewing areas.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Warm-water fishing and swimming. Spring (March): Sandhill crane migration on the Platte (1-2 hours north). Fall: Waterfowl migration and quiet camping. Winter: Ice fishing for bluegill and crappie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandria SRA good for fishing?
Yes — the 55-acre lake supports largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie. The lake is stocked by Nebraska Game & Parks. Night fishing for catfish is especially productive during summer.
Park Location
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