Merritt Reservoir

About Merritt Reservoir

Merritt Dam, a feature of the Ainsworth Unit, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, is on the Snake River 14 miles upstream from the confluence of the Snake and Niobrara Rivers. Recreation is managed by Nebraska Game and Parks. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. THe reservoir peaks has 2,906 water surface acres, 6,147 land acres and 44 miles of shoreline. Fishing season is year-round. Current reservoir levels.

How to Get There

Located 21 miles southwest of Valentine, Nebraska. Nearest highway is Nebraska 97.

Plan Your Visit to Merritt Reservoir

Heading to Merritt Reservoir? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)