Camping/Fishing/Water level ?'s

[Sessions341]

howdy,

This is my first post on the forum and had a few q's for the locals:



1. Looking at camping ~6 wks from now, near RD West BN, does anyone have some recent pics or info on what the beach looks like now, or predictions on what it will look like in 1.5 months from now?

2. Would like to do some shore fishing, any info someone can give me on landing some walleye/cat would be much appreciated.

3. depending on water level thinking about bring my own firewood from co, is there a lot of drift wood on the S side, or would it be wise to bring my own?

4. Planning on driving a Jeep from BN rd to the beach, does anyone know how far the water is up or what the access beach rd would look like in a few weeks?

5. On google maps, some of the lake has a dark green shade near shore on the N and E side says: " Lakc mac SRA," does this mean the light green areas are on private land ?


-any recent pics of the lake would be a great help as most of google pics are a few years old.


Pleasure to join your group and I thank you in advance,

Mike

[Scott Eveland]

Mike-

Welcome to the board!

I went to Google Maps myself to find out where in the world "Road West BN" is. That is Road West B North, a county road that connects the Mako-Chi-Mihn subdivision with Highway 26.

There is very little public access in that area--the Google Map is very deceiving.

All of that green land is public land, but on the south side, most of it is just beachfront accessible only by boat. In reality the entire shoreline of the lake--up to a certain elevation in many areas--is public. Google Maps just doesn't show that very well.

I think you would be hard pressed to find any decent public land off of that county road with the current high water. There is a large private development there and really only one public road to the beach. The only camping you find there would be beach camping with zero services. While a park permit would be required there are no outhouses, water pumps or anything else in that area.

Tell us what you are looking for in a place to camp and maybe we can direct you to another location.

As far as firewood, there is plenty of fallen and dead timber all over. You probably won't need to bring your own if you are willing to cut, move or drag around your own. But if you want to save the work, bring some.

It is hard to tell what water levels will be like. Right now inflows still exceed outflows and probably will most of the summer. That mean very little beach right now. A little bit of a bummer for beach camping, but a huge change from the drought we just experienced. Short term loss, long term gain.

Same with fishing. Those conditions can change daily. As it gets closer, we can give you better info. Right now would just be generalities.

Hope that helps!

[Sessions341]

Thanks for the info scott,

going to be there next week:

does anyone have any idea what the beach/water level is looking like near van's lakeview or rd BN? (Pictures) I am looking just for tent camping, that has a road.

Looking for a spot on the beach/shore fishing as far away from the labor day crowd, i know it's oxymornic. as a backup if there is no 4wd access on BN, i was considering K-1 cabin RD or ogallala beach rd. Any info on what it looks like near shore?

Any reccomendations on what to use for bait if fishing from shore, looking for walleye and cat.

[Scott Eveland]

Sorry, no pictures, but the lake is still way up (amazing for late August).

If you want somewhat secluded tent camping, you may consider going west of Lakeview toward the Eagle Canyon area. There are two public roads that can get you there. If you take Lakeview Road to Van, and keep going past the sailboat (road that goes west) and go straight, rather than turn right into Van's, follow that road toward the lake. There is some public access in that area.

Or you can take the left at the sailboat, go west past the golf course and housing, and past Eagle Canyon Hideaway and you'll run into a few public access points in the park and even into Clear Creek WMA.

I would avoid Ogallala Beach Road. That will fill up for Labor Day. K-1 Cabin road can take you to the Brown Bay area. Pretty secluded and no services.