FishKillFlea Fishing without a valid fishing license for Nebraska carries penalties enforced by Game and Parks Conservation Officers.
| Violation | Fine Range | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| No license / expired license | $50 – $500 | Court costs; possible equipment seizure |
| Over daily creel limit | $100 – $500 per fish | Per-fish penalty — see limits below |
| Snagging in restricted waters | $100 – $500 | Equipment confiscation |
| Fishing in closed area | $50 – $500 | Trespass may apply |
Key Creel Limits
| Species | Daily Limit | Min Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 4 | 15″ (most lakes) | May vary by lake — check regulations |
| Largemouth Bass | 5 | 12″ | Some Sandhills lakes: catch-and-release only |
| Channel Catfish | 5 | — | Statewide |
| Rainbow/Brown Trout | 5 | — | Lake Ogallala, Calamus, Snake River |
| Northern Pike | 3 | 24″ | Sandhills specialty |
| Musky | 1 | 36″ | Merritt Reservoir trophy fishery |
Report Violations
Call Nebraska Game and Parks: (402) 471-0641 or Operation Game Thief: (800) 742-7627 — cash rewards available.
A fishing license for Nebraska is $38/year — cheaper than one fine. Get yours today. See cost details.