Nebraska
Niobrara River near Sparks
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Saturday, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 515 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.55 ft
- Water Temperature
- 77 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 06461500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
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Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
77°F
Feels like
82°F
Wind
7 mph SE
Wind gust
15 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 7 AM
Clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 11 AM
Clear
Temp 86°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 97°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 17 mph
Sat 7 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 84°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 11 PM
Overcast
Temp 78°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 97°F / Low 69°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 90°F / Low 69°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 31 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 101°F / Low 70°F
Chance 50%
Precip 0.08 in
Max gust 35 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Showers
High 87°F / Low 69°F
Chance 50%
Precip 0.07 in
Max gust 31 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Niobrara River near Sparks, Cherry County, Nebraska. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065). Discharge (00060) and water temperature (00010) are direct at this station. Stage (00065) is not temperature. USGS 06461500 Niobrara River near Sparks is the bounded Scenic River / Sparks public reach. Not a generic statewide Niobrara pin, not Niobrara at Mariaville 06463720, and not Long Pine Creek 06463500. Live 00010/00060/00065 verified 2026-08-29. Site type ST.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Niobrara River.
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
The Niobrara near Sparks is Nebraska's Sandhills National Scenic River fishing destination. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed flow and temperature from USGS 06461500 using live discharge, stage, and water temperature. NGPC treats the Niobrara as a warm-water catfish river; trout occur in spring-fed tributaries, not as this mainstem pin. This is not Mariaville, not Long Pine Creek, and not a generic Nebraska Niobrara.
Target species
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
NGPC 2026 Fishing Forecast names the Niobrara among Nebraska's excellent warm-water catfish rivers. USGS 06461500 is the Sparks Scenic River reach, not Mariaville 06463720 and not the Platte at Louisville.
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
NGPC river catfish complex on the Niobrara includes flathead catfish on this mainstem. Not Lake McConaughy catfish and not Long Pine Creek trout water.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
NPS Niobrara Scenic River fish list includes mixed gamefish on the mainstem. Smallmouth are present; trout remain tributary context, not this pin.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Sandhills spring-influenced mainstem at Sparks with riffles, sandbars, and public canoe corridor through the Niobrara National Scenic River. USGS 06461500 sits on this bounded reach. Distinct from Niobrara at Mariaville and from Long Pine Creek.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
NGPC and National Park Service document public fishing on the Scenic River corridor near Sparks. Catalog coordinates are USGS 06461500, not a verified put-in pin. Private frontage occurs; use posted public access.
Stocking information
NGPC manages the Niobrara as a warm-water river fishery. Spring-branch trout stocking, where it occurs, is tributary context and is not this mainstem destination. Confirm current official NGPC notices.
Official sources
Nebraska inland fishing license required. Statewide catfish, bass, and other inland rules apply unless posted. Distinct from Lake Ogallala trout specials and from Long Pine Creek trout water. Confirm current NGPC Fishing Guide.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring 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.
River Details
County
Cherry
Management Category
Sandhills scenic warmwater river
Regulation Scope
Niobrara River near Sparks
Regulation Summary
Niobrara River near Sparks: NGPC inland river rules on the Sparks / Scenic River public reach. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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