Reservoir · Cherry, Nebraska
Merritt Reservoir
Location Snapshot
Merritt Reservoir lies in the Nebraska Sandhills southwest of Valentine, where branching bays and the Snake River arm break up a broad reservoir basin. Walleye, crappie, muskellunge, and white bass give the lake a distinctive mix of open-water and structure-oriented fishing opportunities.
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide a live condition rating for this destination. Destination and fishery information is still available.
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Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Merritt Reservoir.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Walleye are primary and stocked in Merritt Reservoir. Northern pike are common and established. Channel catfish are present and established, and muskellunge are present and stocked.
Target species
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Stocking information
Muskellunge and walleye are stocked in Merritt Reservoir.
- Stocked
Walleye
Stocked · Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Stocked
Muskellunge
Stocked · Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Official sources
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Cherry, Nebraska
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
County
Cherry
Management Category
Valentine Sandhills reservoir
Regulation Scope
Merritt Reservoir.
Regulation Summary
Merritt Reservoir: NGPC special walleye harvest and inland reservoir rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Channel Catfish
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available