Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Sandhills Lake — 5,124-acre reservoir in the heart of Nebraska’s Sandhills — one of the best walleye fisheries in the state
Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area centers around a 5,124-acre reservoir in the heart of Nebraska’s Sandhills — one of the most unique landscapes in North America. The Nebraska Sandhills are the largest dune system in the Western Hemisphere — covering 19,300 square miles (about one-quarter of Nebraska!). These grass-stabilized dunes sit atop the massive Ogallala Aquifer, which provides water for much of the Great Plains. Calamus Reservoir is one of the top walleye fisheries in Nebraska — the clear water also supports excellent bass and northern pike fishing.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Loup County, NE (Sandhills!) |
| Entry Fee | NE Park Permit Required |
| Lake | 5,124 acres! |
| Sandhills | 19,300 sqmi — largest dunes in W. Hemisphere! |
About Calamus Reservoir
Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area surrounds a 5,123-acre reservoir in the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska — the largest grass-stabilized dune field in the Western Hemisphere. The reservoir’s irregular shoreline with numerous bays and coves creates excellent fishing habitat. The surrounding Sandhills landscape is one of the most unique grassland ecosystems on Earth.
Things to Do
Fishing for walleye (the reservoir is famous for trophy walleye), bass, northern pike, and catfish, boating, camping (150+ sites), swimming, and exploring the Sandhills landscape. One of Nebraska’s premier fishing lakes.
Insider Tips
Sandhills jewel: Calamus Reservoir sits at the edge of the Nebraska Sandhills — the largest grass-stabilized dune field in the Western Hemisphere (20,000 sq miles). Pro tip: The reservoir produces trophy-size walleye and white bass — the white bass schooling runs in June are explosive fishing. Sandhills scenery: Drive north into the Sandhills for rolling grass-covered dunes that extend to the horizon.
Best Time to Visit
June: White bass runs. Summer: Boating, swimming, and camping. Fall: Waterfowl migration and walleye fishing. Spring: Sharp-tailed grouse dancing on leks at dawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Nebraska Sandhills?
The Sandhills are 20,000 square miles of grass-stabilized sand dunes — the largest dune field in the Western Hemisphere. Beneath the grass lies the Ogallala Aquifer, which keeps the dunes green and supports thousands of lakes. The Sandhills are one of the least-populated regions in the US — more cattle than people.
🎣 Visit Calamus Reservoir SRA
Sandhills walleye paradise — largest dune system in the Americas!
