Largemouth Bass

If you're chasing largemouth bass in western Nebraska, the Arthur area presents some unique opportunities. While not known for trophy bass, the smaller reservoirs and private ponds dotting the landscape around Arthur can offer surprisingly consistent action. These waters, often fed by irrigation runoff, warm up quickly in the spring, leading to an early and aggressive bite. Focus your efforts from late April through June for peak activity. For bank access, look for public access points along the South Loup River, though the bass fishing there can be hit-or-miss. Your best bet is often to network with local landowners for permission to fish their ponds – a polite request can go a long way in this rural community. Remember that water levels can fluctuate significantly depending on irrigation needs, so be prepared to adjust your presentation. Weedless rigs and topwater lures are your friends in these often weedy environments. The bass here tend to be opportunistic feeders, so experiment with different retrieves until you find what they want.