Nebraska
Niobrara River near Sparks
Location Snapshot
Near Sparks, the Niobrara crosses Nebraska’s Sandhills in a scenic river corridor shaped by sandbars, wooded banks, and spring-fed tributaries. Channel catfish are a defining mainstem target, with smallmouth bass and other warmwater species adding variety to this unusually diverse river fishery.
Current River Rating
Good · 84
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
Wednesday, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within a broad fishable range.
- 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
- 678 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.67 ft
- Water Temperature
- 50.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 10:45 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
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
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
42°F
Feels like
37°F
Wind
4 mph E
Wind gust
7 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:00 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
Tue 7 AM
Clear
Temp 40°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 11 AM
Clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Tue 3 PM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Tue 7 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 11 PM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Wed 3 AM
Clear
Temp 47°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 73°F / Low 40°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 68°F / Low 47°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 22 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Drizzle
High 82°F / Low 55°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 30 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Drizzle
High 82°F / Low 63°F
Chance 25%
Precip 0.05 in
Max gust 37 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
The Niobrara near Sparks is scenic-river water where channel catfish and smallmouth bass are among the game fish.
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
Target species
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
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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