DiVentures in Omaha has become one of the largest scuba schools in the Midwest. As Dean Hollis began to think about how he wanted to spend his retirement, his thoughts kept returning to the water. Hollis grew up in Florida “on, in and under the water.” When a career with ConAgra brought him to land-locked Omaha, he continued to spend time scuba diving, swimming, boating and water skiing. When he retired as Conagra’s Chief Operating Officer in 2008, he imagined …

New program offers improved survival rates, catch rates for walleye. For years, Game and Parks biologists have stocked walleye fingerlings in popular lakes and reservoirs across the state. Results have been mixed, with some waters yielding major benefits and others seeing poor survival. Southeastern Nebraska reservoirs fall into the latter category, where there has been limited success in building robust walleye populations, especially in waters with established largemouth bass populations. But a new way of raising walleyes for stocking is …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (NRD) will assume full management of Lake Wanahoo and the surrounding recreation area beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Since the area opened in 2012, the Lower Platte North NRD, which owns the property, has co-managed the area with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. That agreement will expire on Dec. 31. Transition of the area’s operations will occur on Oct. 16. Valid Nebraska Park Entry Permits will be honored at the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Riverview Marina State Recreation Area (SRA), which is located along the Missouri River in Nebraska City, is closed until further notice because of flooding. Campgrounds, restrooms and all other amenities are closed to public use at Riverview Marina SRA. Additionally, the boat ramp at Indian Cave State Park near Shubert is also closed because of high waters. The cave, campground, and other amenities at Indian Cave State Park remain open. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County remains on health alert. During water testing last week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in the lake. Visitors to Willow Creek State Recreation Area (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the water and …

Kearney, Neb. — The Niobrara River Basin Alliance (NRBA), the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), and the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) took a significant step forward today towards protecting the Niobrara River Basin, water flows and all users of the river now and in the future. The three partnering groups celebrated this accomplishment while attending the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts’ (NARD) Annual Meeting in Kearney. Each entity signed a purchase agreement for the eventual transfer of the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert has been issued for Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms at the lake. Visitors to Willow Creek State Recreation Area (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has awarded a Nebraska family the prestigious Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award. The award was given to the Forney family, which owns the Forney Ranch in the Nebraska Panhandle. Dr. Kent Forney, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioner from 2007 to 2016 and a lifelong champion of conservation, accepted the award on behalf of his family earlier this month during the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Riverview Marina State Recreation Area (SRA), which is located along the Missouri River in Otoe County, has reopened to the public. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission temporarily closed the SRA to public use after heavy rains caused flooding. Campgrounds, restrooms and other amenities were under water, and electricity to the park was disconnected. After flood waters receded, staff thoroughly cleaned the area and cleared debris and silt.  Electricity was reconnected. All services and amenities, including the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Omaha office of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission remains closed for repairs. The office, located at 8495 Frederick St., was damaged when a business in the same shopping center caught fire in July. Repairs are expected to be completed sometime this fall. Omaha office staff may be reached by calling 402-595-2144. Those wishing to purchase permits or conduct other business with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in person can visit the temporary office for …