Hackberry Lake is a 680-acre Sandhill lake nestled in the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County, Nebraska. This large, shallow waterbody features a mean depth of 1.5 meters and a maximum depth of 2.1 meters, with moderate aquatic vegetation covering approximately 38% of the lake. The lake is managed primarily as a northern pike fishery, with special slot limits designed to protect the pike population and maintain quality fishing opportunities. As part of the National Wildlife Refuge system, the lake provides a unique fishing experience in the heart of Nebraska's Sandhills region, where the characteristic wind-swept landscape meets productive shallow-water fisheries. The refuge setting adds to the fishing experience, with opportunities to observe waterfowl and other wildlife while pursuing gamefish.