Going to share an article for this blog post.  I have mentioned Gord Pyzer before, retired Canadian fisheries biologist, and great stick.  So yes, this article was written a little over a year ago, and this guy fishes mostly in Canada.  But, he is right on with these ten mistakes!  Read this.  I am betting there is something there that will make you a better angler! The top 10 fishing mistakes—and how to avoid them!

Hunters, anglers and trappers have been and continue to be the original conservationists!  How? By buying permits, hunting and fishing gear! Thank you for your support.  Our resources thank you. While you are at it, you better pick up a couple more crankbaits in at least a couple more colors! Fishing is worth any amount of effort and any amount of expense to people who live it, because in the end you get such a large number of dreams per …

I cleaned some “stuff” off the dresser at home.  Found some newspaper clippings I wanted to keep.  While I was filing them away at the office these old clippings fell out: Those would be my maternal grandparents.  The clippings were from the Atkinson Graphic.  I love looking back at those old pictures; love remembering times spent fishing with my grandparents.  I am betting I know the exact farm pond Gramps caught the bass from.  Wonder if he caught it on …

We are quickly advancing towards July.  Natural prey is going to be peaking in Nebraska waters in the next few weeks, and the bite is naturally going to slow.  Happens every summer. In spite of that, I have heard some great reports from a lot of Nebraska reservoirs.  There is still time to get in on it. I have stated before that probably more walleyes have been caught from Nebraska reservoirs on bottom bouncers and spinner rigs than all other …

I will tell you that the days of building big reservoirs are likely long past.  However, some relatively small reservoirs will continue to be built in Nebraska.  Most of them built by Natural Resource Districts (NRDs).  In most cases these projects are in urban areas to provide flood control and perhaps some recreation.  Fortunately, we, the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Fisheries Division often are involved in the design and construction of these reservoirs.  Our assistance is provided for water …

Today, I am going to return to a familiar topic–catch and release or more specifically selective harvest.  Some of you will ignore me, I know you will.  That’s fine, just know there is science behind it! Do not take my word for it.  Instead, this time, take the word of retired Canadian fisheries biologist, Gord Pyzer.  He knows his stuff! https://www.outdoorcanada.ca/this-science-proves-that-keeping-small-fish-while-releasing-the-big-ones-improves-the-fishery/?fbclid=IwAR0Hne0rvM-GSCgbvlG9EArU4J0xtgdpAGSW7KZvGzDy0244tNM16KxnRds I hear complaints all the time about certain anglers “keeping fish that are too small”.  You know what?  That …

Trying to think of something to blog about today when I was asked a familiar question, “What are these black specks on my fish?” There are a variety of fish parasites that are present in our waters.  They are there all the time and nothing can be done about that.  From time to time, those parasites will be obvious on or in the fish. Of course the first concern is usually if those fish are safe to eat? There are …

A few weeks ago I suggested there were a lot of really good reasons to take someone hunting or fishing, Take ‘Em.  Our Take ‘Em Hunting and Take ‘Em Fishing promotions offer prizes for those who take someone new hunting or fishing.  Prizes are a good reason. But it is a lot more than that. That was the point of my Take ‘Em blog. A few days after posting that blog, I was reminded of some other good reasons to …

Was good to get out of the office the end of last week and help with the 2021 High School Bass Championships.  The tournament location was Red Willow Reservoir.  Many of you know that water levels at Red Willow were minimum pool for several years while dam repairs were completed.  Since then, the water has returned within 10 feet of full pool.  As water levels have risen it has flooded a bunch of terrestrial vegetation.  Fish populations are thriving in …

Making sure the “word” gets spread on this, again: Game and Parks urges boaters to Clean, Drain and Dry to stop invasive species LINCOLN, Neb. – While many Nebraska boaters are eager to enjoy a summer day on the lake, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges them to be wary of a nasty hitchhiker: the zebra mussel. Over the Memorial Day weekend, Game and Parks watercraft inspectors found two boats with zebra mussels attached attempting to launch. Each boat …