Nebraska Tailwater COE – Crofton, NE
Paddlefish, Sunrises, and Those Bugs!
We recently pulled into the Tailwater COE campground near Crofton, Nebraska, a lovely Corps of Engineers spot nestled right along the Missouri River. As always, the waterviews are just as great! We were looking for some peaceful downtime, and initially, we found exactly that—especially the gorgeous sunrises that absolutely light up the water.
However, we arrived in late September and immediately realized we had entered the twilight zone of annoying insects. It turns out that for about three weeks during the soybean harvest, those nasty little no-see-ums emerge in full force! As the harvest disrupts their moist habitat, they seek out a new home, and it seems our campground has become prime real estate. They were driving us absolutely mad! We were definitely off on our timing, but thankfully, that three-week peak is finally coming to an end. We honestly don’t think we could handle another day of bites!
One morning, needing an escape from the bugs, we took a drive over the Gavins Point Dam. Much to our surprise, the base of the dam was a bustling hub of activity! There was an incredible number of fishing boats and shore-based fishermen. We quickly pulled into the nearest parking spot to watch. The casting technique was unlike anything we’d ever seen. It looked strenuous—they’d cast out, and instead of a typical reel-in, they were intensely pulling the line toward them in a sweeping motion. Curious, we asked a local. They were fishing for Paddlefish!
This is serious business, folks. Paddlefish fishing has a ton of strict rules: the primary season is in October, you’re only allowed to keep one or two per year, and they must meet strict size requirements (anything not meeting the allowed size goes right back in). Fishing hours are also set from 7 AM to 7 PM. It seemed like a lot of dedicated effort for one fish, but judging by the sheer number of fishermen out there, it’s clearly a passionate and rewarding pursuit! It was fascinating to witness this unique regional tradition.
Despite the tiny, biting setbacks, this stop was a perfect place to recharge our batteries, enjoy those breathtaking sunrises, and witness the incredible passion of the Nebraska paddlefish anglers. Word to future travelers – don’t go in September!
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