What the Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament is and when it happens
The Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament is an annual fishing event held at Branched Oak Lake, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reservoir near Lincoln. The tournament draws catfish anglers from across the state who compete for prizes by catching channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish during a set fishing window — typically a single day or weekend in summer, though the exact dates shift year to year.
The lake itself sits in Lancaster County and covers about 1,400 acres, making it one of Nebraska's larger catfish fisheries. The tournament is open to recreational anglers of all skill levels, from people fishing their first tournament to seasoned competitors. Entry fees are modest, usually in the $20 to $50 range per angler or boat, though you should confirm the current year's fee with the event organizers before you register.
Because dates and rules change annually, your first step is to contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission directly or check their website for the current tournament schedule. Local bait and tackle shops near Lincoln also post tournament information and often handle registration.
Key Takeaways
- The Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament is held once a year at a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission lake near Lincoln, with dates that vary by year.
- You can fish for channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish during the tournament window, and prizes are awarded based on weight or number of fish caught.
- Entry fees are typically $20 to $50 per angler, and you must register before the tournament begins — registration deadlines are usually a week or two before the event.
- A valid Nebraska fishing permit is required, and the lake has specific regulations about which catfish species you can keep and minimum size limits that apply during the tournament.
- The best catfish bite at Branched Oak usually happens in early morning and evening, and live bait or cut bait works better than artificial lures for tournament fishing.
What you need to fish the tournament
To fish the Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament, you must have a valid Nebraska fishing permit. Permits are sold by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and are available online, by phone, or at authorized vendors throughout the state. A one-year resident permit costs around $27 to $32, depending on your age and residency status; non-residents pay more. You cannot fish without one, and tournament organizers will check before you launch.
You will also need a boat or access to one, or you can fish from shore at designated areas around the lake. If you are bringing your own boat, make sure it is registered with Nebraska and that you have a current boating safety certificate if required by state law. The lake has public boat ramps on the north and south sides, and parking is available at both.
Bring a cooler with ice to keep your catch fresh, a net for landing fish, and a scale or weigh-in bag — tournament organizers usually provide scales at the weigh-in station, but having your own lets you track your catch during the day. A headlamp or flashlight is essential if you plan to fish before sunrise or after sunset, when catfish are most active.
Bait and tackle that work for catfish at Branched Oak
Channel catfish and blue catfish at Branched Oak respond best to live bait or cut bait rather than artificial lures. Live shiners, shad, or bluegill work well, as do live crawfish. Cut bait — chunks of shad, herring, or skipjack — is often more effective because the scent disperses in the water and attracts fish from a distance. Many anglers use a combination: live bait on one rod and cut bait on another.
Flathead catfish, which are aggressive predators, prefer live baitfish — especially live bluegill or shad — over dead bait. They hunt by sight and movement, so a lively bait will outfish a stationary one. Chicken liver and stink baits can work for channel catfish but are less reliable in a tournament setting where you want consistent results.
Use circle hooks in sizes 2/0 to 8/0, depending on your bait size. Circle hooks are designed to hook fish in the corner of the mouth rather than deep in the throat, which means easier catch-and-release if you need to return fish, and they rarely require you to set the hook hard — the fish's own run does the work. Pair your hooks with a simple three-way rig or a slip sinker rig so your bait sits on or near the bottom, where catfish feed.
Tournament rules and what happens at weigh-in
The Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament follows Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fishing regulations, which means you must obey all state size and bag limits even during the tournament. Channel catfish have no minimum size limit in Nebraska, but blue catfish and flathead catfish have minimum sizes — check the current regulations before you fish, as they can change. You are allowed to keep a certain number of catfish per day; exceeding that limit disqualifies you from the tournament and may result in a citation.
Most tournaments use a weigh-in format where you bring your catch to a designated location at a set time — usually late afternoon or early evening — and tournament officials record the total weight of your fish. Some tournaments award prizes to the angler with the heaviest single fish, the heaviest total catch, or both. A few tournaments use a catch-and-release format where fish are weighed and returned to the lake, though this is less common for catfish events.
Arrive at weigh-in with your fish in a cooler or livewell to keep them fresh. Dead fish are weighed, but fish that have been out of water for too long may be penalized or disqualified depending on the tournament rules. Read the full rules packet when you register — it will spell out penalties for late arrivals, fish that don't meet size requirements, and other specifics.
Where to find current tournament details and registration
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website is your most reliable source for the current Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament date, entry fee, and registration deadline. Look for their events calendar or search for "Branched Oak" directly on their site. You can also call their regional office in Lincoln to ask about the tournament and get registration information by phone.
Local bait and tackle shops in Lincoln and the surrounding area often handle tournament registration and can answer questions about current conditions, recent catches, and which baits are working best. Shops like these are also good places to pick up live bait the day before the tournament, which saves you time on tournament morning.
Facebook groups and fishing forums dedicated to Nebraska catfishing sometimes post tournament announcements and attract anglers who have fished the event before. These communities can give you real advice about where fish are holding, what time of day produces best, and what to expect from the lake during tournament season.
Fishing strategy for a catfish tournament at Branched Oak
Catfish are most active during low-light hours — early morning before sunrise and evening after sunset. If the tournament allows night fishing, plan to fish hard from dusk until midnight or later; this is when flatheads especially are on the hunt. During midday, catfish move to deeper water and are harder to catch, so use that time to rest, scout new spots, or move to a different area of the lake.
Branched Oak has shallow flats, deeper channels, and structure like fallen trees and rock piles. Channel catfish and blue catfish often hold near the dam or in deeper holes, while flatheads may patrol shallow areas at night hunting for live baitfish. Start your tournament in a spot where you have caught catfish before, or ask other anglers at the launch ramp where they plan to fish — most tournament anglers are willing to share general information.
Keep multiple rods in the water if tournament rules allow it — usually two or three per angler. This increases your chances of connecting with fish and lets you test different baits or depths at the same time. Check your lines and bait frequently; catfish can steal bait without setting the hook, and fresh bait outfishes old bait every time.
Preparing your catch for the table after the tournament
If you plan to keep and eat your tournament catch, handle the fish carefully from the moment you land it. Keep catfish on ice or in a livewell until weigh-in, then ice them immediately after. The sooner you get them cold, the better the meat quality. Catfish can stay on ice for two to three days without significant quality loss if they are kept at 32°F or below.
Clean your catfish as soon as you get home, or the night before if you prefer. Channel catfish and blue catfish have tough skin that is easier to remove if you use a skinning pliers or a specialized catfish skinning tool — this is faster and cleaner than trying to fillet them whole. Flathead catfish have similar skin but larger, firmer meat that holds up well to grilling or frying.
Catfish meat is mild and slightly sweet, with a firm texture that works well in fried, baked, or grilled preparations. Soak fillets in buttermilk for an hour before frying to mellow any muddy flavor, then coat with cornmeal and fry in hot oil until golden. A tournament catch of four or five good-sized catfish will feed a family of four with leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boat to fish the Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament?
No. You can fish from shore at designated public areas around the lake, though a boat gives you access to deeper water and more fishing spots. If you do not own a boat, ask other anglers at the launch ramp if they need a fishing partner — many tournament anglers welcome an extra set of hands in exchange for sharing the boat.
What is the difference between channel catfish and flathead catfish, and does it matter for the tournament?
Channel catfish are bottom feeders that eat dead bait and scavenge; flatheads are predators that hunt live baitfish at night. Both are legal tournament fish, but they require different tactics. Channel catfish bite all day; flatheads bite best after dark. Check the tournament rules to see if there are separate prize categories for different species.
Can I fish the tournament if I have never fished a catfish tournament before?
Yes. The Branched Oak Lake Catfish Tournament is open to anglers of all experience levels. Show up with a valid permit, pay the entry fee, and follow the rules. Many first-time tournament anglers catch fish and have a good time — the key is showing up prepared with bait, tackle, and a cooler.
What happens if I catch a fish that is below the minimum size limit?
Return it to the lake immediately. Fish below the legal size cannot be weighed in or counted toward your catch. Keeping undersized fish violates Nebraska fishing regulations and can result in a citation, even during a tournament.
When is the best time to register for the tournament?
Register as soon as the tournament is announced and registration opens — usually two to four weeks before the event. Early registration ensures your spot and lets organizers plan for the number of anglers. Late registration may be available if the tournament has not reached its angler limit, but do not wait until the last day.