Lake Mac Escape Lake McConaughy, Ogallala, NE

09/08/2026

OUTDOOR REPORT: Catfish remain a reliable catch this month. Although the bite has slowed, the fish that are being caught are good sized, including drum, walleye, yellow perch and carp. Trout can also be caught in the Lake Ogallala system.

Water temperature is 76-78°F.

📷: thanks to Amy Kilcoyne for sharing!

BEACH CLEAN-UP: Nebraska Game and Parks is working on picking up trash and trees from the storm over Labor Day Weekend. If anyone would like to assist, it would be greatly appreciated. Trash bags are available at the Visitors Center. So far, NGP hauled off 12 dump trailers of trash from the beach and 8 dump trailers of tree branches.

BOATING: Private boat launch services at Lake McConaughy will provide the best access to the lake going forward, according to NE Game & Parks. Water levels remain historically low after years of drought.

Today (Sept. 8) is the last launch day of the season for Van’s Lakeview (308-287-8267). Big Mac Marina (308-355-5555) will continue through Sept. 13, and Ski Patrol (308-726-7368) will continue through Sept. 17, but please call ahead with any questions. Both boat ramps at Lake Ogallala are in service.

Those launching from the beach on their own do so at their own risk, as decreasing water levels are exposing soft lake beds, shallow areas or unsafe drop-offs.

CAMPING: Reservation season ends Sept. 10. After this date, campers may pay for camping at the Visitor Center or the self-pay stations.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
🛶 Oct. 3: Dam Paddle-Formerly Kayak Big Mac by Ogallala Rotary Club
👉 Oct. 10-12: Living History Rendezvous at Ash Hollow State Historical Park
🦆 Oct. 18: Mentored Youth Waterfowl Hunt at Clear Creek WMA. Youths ages 11-15 are welcome to attend free of charge. To register, please call Tamara (Ash Hollow SHP) at 308-778-7708 or email [email protected].

💧Water level at Lake Mac is currently at 3,201.3 ft. or 389,200 acre-feet. Inflows = 869 CFS/Outflows 1087 CFS.

REMINDERS:
Campfires are allowed but must be contained in a fire pit.
Alcohol is not allowed at Lake McConaughy or Lake Ogallala.
ATV/UTVs are not allowed in the SRA unless a disabled permit is issued from the Nebraska Game and Parks headquarters in Lincoln.

09/08/2026

Come book your stay:

airbnb.com/h/lake-mac-escape

09/05/2026

🛟 A REMINDER: Children are safest wearing PFDs *at all times* near the lake. Due to the low water level, the dropoffs are very near the shore.

PLEASE BRING PFDs for the whole family and make sure everyone wears them. Life jackets save lives. PFDs are available for check-out free of charge at the visitor center, and the Keystone Lemoyne Fire Rescue team also frequently give out kids life jackets on the beaches.

📷: Austin K.

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

Still a lot of great reasons to visit the lake and area this Labor Day!
Book below:
airbnb.com/h/lake-mac-escape

🏖️ It's a little farther to the shoreline this Labor Day Weekend at the lake ... but still oh-so-beautiful! 😍 Welcoming all beachcombers and sand castle builders and explorers who want to savor the sunshine and warm water (77°).

🗓️ Check the calendar at www.ilovelakemac.com/events for more fun beyond the beach this weekend, including:

🧺 Sept. 4-7: The Paxton Labor Day Weekend Celebration - a whole weekend full of old-fashioned family activities, food & fun.

🎤 Sat. Sept. 5: The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute concert at 8 p.m. at Lake Mac Casino Resort & Racetrack in Ogallala
https://tickets.lakemaccasinoresort.com/orderticketsarea.asp

🛍️ Sun. Sept. 6: The Pop Up Party at Second Chapter Brewing in Ogallala - come on Sunday to sip and shop multiple fun vendors. https://www.facebook.com/events/1367043604758630/

🎸 Sun. Sept. 6: Guild Of Ages in concert at Bayside Golf
tickets: https://bit.ly/3ThXSIr

🍅 Sat. Sept 5: Ogallala Farmer's Market 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rendezvous Square

(📷: thanks to prairie-blossom for sharing!)

09/03/2026

🇺🇸🌊 LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT LAKE MAC ESCAPE!

Looking for the perfect way to enjoy Labor Day Weekend and soak up a little more summer? ☀️🏖️

We have a last-minute opening at Lake Mac Escape, and we’d love to welcome a family or group ready for a fun lake weekend!

🏡 4 bedrooms • Sleeps up to 11
🎮 Game room for rainy-day or evening fun
☕ Regier Coffee bar
🔥 Propane BBQ grill
🌅 Just minutes from the fun at Lake McConaughy

Spend the long weekend relaxing, grilling, playing games, enjoying the lake, and making a few more summer memories before fall arrives. ❤️

📅 Labor Day Weekend is now available!

If a Labor Day getaway sounds like just what you need, we’d love to have you stay with us!

👉 Come make some lake memories with us at Lake Mac Escape:
airbnb.com/h/lake-mac-escape

08/26/2026

Booking for Fall!
airbnb.com/h/lake-mac-escape

OUTDOOR REPORT
🎣 The fishing bite has been picking up a little bit with these cooler nights.

Water temperature is around 77-79°F. Walleye are still are being caught on crankbaits in 20-25 foot of water. White bass can be found near schools of bait fish, which is often where gulls can be spotted gathering. Small mouth bass are being caught near the dam. Catfish continue to be caught regularly around the whole lake. Trout are being caught in the river and canal below Lake Ogallala as well as the little lake itself.

BOATING ACCESS
Private boat launch services at Lake McConaughy will provide the best access to the lake as we head into fall, with water levels remaining historically low after years of drought.

Three local vendors provide services: Van’s Lakeview, 308-287-8267; Ski Patrol, 308-726-7368; and Big Mac Marina, 308-355-5555.
Those launching from the beach on their own do so at their own risk as decreasing water levels are exposing soft lake beds, shallow areas or unsafe drop-offs.

2 RAMPS remain in service at Lake Ogallala

🎣 LAKE EVENTS:
Rotary Dam Paddle Oct. 3

🏕️ Nebraska Game and Parks would like to remind everyone that campfires are allowed but must be in a fire pit.
🚫Alcohol is not allowed at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala.
🚧 Boats and jet skis are advised to avoid traveling of the line between west of Van's Lakeview and Lemoyne
💧 Water level: 3,202 Elevation or 410,000 acre feet
Inflow this week: 400 cubic feet per second
Outflow this week: 1800 cubic feet per second
For daily updates visit https://cnppid.com/lake-river-data

🗓️ RESERVATION INFO:
Make reservations at https://outdoornebraska.gov/ and click reservations on the top right corner of the screen, or call the Reservations hot line at 1-844-637-2757 from 8-5 Monday to Friday and 8-4 Saturday and Sunday.
⛺️Reservations for beach camping may be made 30 days in advance and reservations for modern camp grounds with electricity can be made 180 days in advance.

Looking forward to this Labor Day Weekend, Lake McConaughy is 40% booked and Lake Ogallala is 65.0% booked for this weekend.

(Thanks to Patrick Schnell of NGP for outdoor report info.)

📋: See a complete list of lake FAQs here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GH8eU62io/?mibextid=wwXIf See less

08/25/2026

Lake days are calling. 🌊

Lake Mac Escape is ready for your next family getaway at Lake McConaughy.

• 4 bedrooms
• Sleeps up to 11
• Game room for the kids
• Coffee bar stocked with Regier Coffee
• Back deck for morning coffee or evening drinks
• Propane grill for easy meals
• Plenty of space to relax after a day at the lake

Spend the day swimming, boating, fishing, or soaking up the Nebraska sun. Then come back to a comfortable place where everyone has room to unwind.

August and September dates are available.

Check availability and book your stay:
https://airbnb.com/h/lake-mac-escape