Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Time for a Trout Slam update. Entries came in slowly but steadily most of last year and then picked up last fall after cutthroat trout were stocked in a number of waters. For that reason, we waited to do one batch of Trout Slam certificates and pins at the end of the year. That batch included a couple of entries that came in late December with the relatively mild winter weather we have had.
We had exactly twenty Trout Slams completed in 2025. Those twenty slams were accomplished by seventeen different anglers. Yes, three different anglers completed the Trout Slam twice last year. You can see the list of Trout Slam Finishers HERE.
If you are interested in pursuing a Trout Slam, look around on that Nebraska Trout Slam page. There are rules, entry form and some resources to help you find each of the four species of trout needed to complete a slam (rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat).
To help even more here is a rundown of the top waters where the recent Trout Slam recipients caught their fish: Of course rainbow trout were caught from the most waters, thirteen different waterbodies. Of the twenty slams completed, the Cherry Creek Diversion Pond, White River, and Ft. Robinson Grabel ponds were best for rainbows.
The brown trout entered in this bunch of slams came from nine different waterbodies. The White River, Long Pine Creek, and Ninemile Creek produced the most slam fish.
Slam brook trout were caught from six different waterbodies. Monroe Creek, Soldiers Creek, and West Ash Creek were best for brookies.
Cutthroats entered for this batch of Trout Slams were caught from eight different waters. Grove Wildlife Area Pond, Alliance Golf Course Pond, Chadron State Park Pond, White River, and Grabel ponds were all equal for the most cutties entered for a Trout Slam.
Always like to feature a few of the photos that came in with the Trout Slam entries. Several caught my eye in last year’s batch:
Especially love the beautiful brook trout Zac caught last fall.
Justin Powell from out in the panhandle has completed more than one Trout Slam, six to be exact. He always has some great photos with his entries:
Congratulations to all of the anglers who completed at least one Trout Slam last year! You should have received your certificates and hat pins by now.
Have not seen any Trout Slam entries since the first of the year, but this relatively mild winter weather would be great for some open-water fishing already. The trout are out there, you should be working on your slam!