Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Southwest Prairie Lake — 1,707-acre reservoir in Chase County — remote prairie lake with excellent fishing in the far southwestern corner of Nebraska
Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area protects a 1,707-acre reservoir in Chase County — one of Nebraska’s most remote and peaceful recreation areas. The reservoir was built in 1951 as part of the Frenchman-Cambridge Division of the Missouri River Basin Project. Chase County sits on the High Plains at elevations above 3,300 feet — and has some of the lowest population density in Nebraska. The reservoir offers good walleye, bass, and catfish fishing. Enders is also known for its excellent hunting in the surrounding grasslands — mule deer, pheasant, and quail thrive in this prairie landscape.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Chase County, NE (High Plains!) |
| Entry Fee | NE Park Permit Required |
| Lake | 1,707 acres! |
| Elevation | 3,300+ feet — High Plains! |
About Enders Reservoir
Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area in Chase County provides lake recreation on a 1,707-acre irrigation reservoir in southwestern Nebraska’s high plains. The reservoir sits at the edge of the Republican River drainage — an area rich in Native American history and pioneer heritage.
Things to Do
Fishing for walleye, bass, and wiper (a hybrid bass), boating, camping (100+ sites), swimming, and exploring the high plains landscape. The western Nebraska sunsets over the reservoir are spectacular.
Insider Tips
Republican River country: Enders Reservoir in southwest Nebraska offers excellent walleye and wiper (white bass hybrid) fishing. Pro tip: Wipers fight like freight trains — use white jigs or shad-colored crankbaits. Irrigation history: Nebraska’s reservoirs were built for irrigation — the same water that fills your boat also grows corn. The Bureau of Reclamation shaped the Great Plains by damming rivers for agriculture.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Walleye spawning run. Summer: Swimming, boating, and camping. Fall: Best fishing as water cools. Winter: Ice fishing when the reservoir freezes solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wiper?
A wiper (or hybrid striped bass) is a cross between white bass and striped bass — bred in hatcheries and stocked in reservoirs. Wipers grow fast (up to 15 lbs), fight hard, and don’t reproduce naturally. They’re one of the most exciting sportfish in Great Plains reservoirs.
🌾 Visit Enders Reservoir SRA
High Plains reservoir — 3,300 feet, remote prairie fishing!
Park Location
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