Medicine Creek State Recreation Area

🏆🏆🏆🏆 Southwest NE Lake — 1,768-acre reservoir in the Republican River basin — excellent white bass and walleye in southwestern Nebraska

Medicine Creek State Recreation Area surrounds a 1,768-acre reservoir in Frontier County — part of the Republican River basin in southwestern Nebraska. The Republican River drains a massive 24,900-square-mile basin across three states (Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas). Medicine Creek Reservoir was built in 1949 for flood control and irrigation — part of the massive federal dam-building era following devastating 1935 Republican River floods that killed over 100 people. The reservoir offers excellent white bass runs in spring and consistent walleye fishing.

Visitor Information

About Medicine Creek

Medicine Creek State Recreation Area in Frontier County provides recreation on a 1,768-acre reservoir in southwestern Nebraska’s Republican River drainage. The reservoir offers excellent walleye fishing and water sports in a region of rolling hills and ranching country.

Things to Do

Fishing for walleye (the reservoir is known for quality walleye fishing), bass, and catfish, boating, camping (100+ sites), swimming, and hunting (seasonal). A popular southwestern Nebraska destination.

Insider Tips

Harry Strunk Lake: Medicine Creek Reservoir (also called Harry Strunk Lake) offers excellent walleye and wiper fishing in southwest Nebraska. Pro tip: Night fishing for channel catfish is productive — cast cut shad or chicken liver near the dam face. Great Plains sky: The remote location provides exceptional stargazing — the Milky Way arcs overhead on moonless nights.

Best Time to Visit

Spring: Walleye spawn run. Summer: Boating, swimming, and camping. Fall: Waterfowl migration and walleye fishing. Winter: Ice fishing for perch and walleye.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fish to target?

Walleye are the premier species — the reservoir is stocked annually by Nebraska Game & Parks. Spring fishing near the dam and inlet is most productive. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, and wipers round out the fishery.

More parks nearby: Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area is a short drive away, while Johnson Lake State Recreation Area lies within about an hour’s drive.

Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Nebraska state parks online at nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.

Wildlife & Nature

Medicine Creek SRA — on Harry Strunk Lake (1,768 acres). The area’s prairie, canyon, and reservoir support mule deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. Walleye, bass, and catfish fill the lake.

Nearby Attractions

Cambridge — adjacent. Red Willow County — surrounding.