Well, I guess we have come to the official unofficial end of summer, Labor Day weekend.  I typically do not have a holiday-related blog post for Labor Day, but this might apply to your “labor”: That pie chart may be closer to the truth than many of us want to admit.  The problem is, the sliver where it says actual work–at that time I am probably on the phone or e-mail, you guessed it, talking about fishing!  Or, I am …

I have been a fisherman all my life.  Have worked as a professional fisheries biologist for 30-some years now.  I have spent a lot of time on the water, and an awful lot of time observing anglers.  I have come to a conclusion:  By far, most anglers are sheep! What do I mean by that? I mean that most anglers follow the herd. If you have launched on one of our most popular fisheries and found a pack of boats …

I have been promising that we have been raising some more cutthroat trout and will be stocking them again in Nebraska waters.  I just got word that the first of those stockings has happened!  A thousand 10-inch cutties were stocked in the White River in far northwest Nebraska today! Those of you still needing a cutthroat to complete your Nebraska Trout Slam, there are some more out there again! We have a few thousand more cutthroats at the Grove Trout …

Yep, it’s that time of year again, state fair time! Enjoy family fun with Nebraska Game and Parks at 2019 state fair LINCOLN, Neb. – With plenty of features for both kids and adults, the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Encounter exhibit provides a fun stop for the entire family at the 2019 Nebraska State Fair. Housed in the Nebraska Building, the exhibit includes an indoor archery range and air gun range for ages 6 and above, a 6,000-gallon aquarium …

There is one thing about the culture of fishing, even the way society thinks about fishing, that I wish I could change. . . . The question about whether a fish is “big enough to keep?” is wrong, completely wrong, 180 degrees wrong. What?  You think my pointy-head has finally gone completely crazy? No, not at all.  Let me explain. . . . Catch and release is a part of modern sportfishing.  It is guaranteed that anglers will be releasing …

I blogged about the project on Dry Spotted Tail Creek early this spring, time for a little update: New trout stream section to improve habitats near Mitchell MITCHELL, Neb. – Anglers, fish and a diverse set of wildlife will soon enjoy a new stretch of trout stream in the western Panhandle. Construction is underway to add nearly three-quarters of a mile of trout stream on Dry Spotted Tail Creek just west of Mitchell in Scotts Bluff County. The new stream …

You know, the more things change, the more they stay the same.  I found this old fishing video, no, I am not in it: https://www.facebook.com/1063189183790012/videos/1282476145194647/ Good humor has an element of truth to it. Looks like the rivers and streams flowed high back then too. Wade in over the top of my waders?  Yep, been there, done that.  Kept right on fishing too–the fish were biting! The funniest part is I have seen a rookie fishing in high waves, over-top …

A news release went out on this, but again I want to spread the word and call attention to it: Limited number of paddlefish snagging permits available for purchase LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska residents will be able to purchase 2019 paddlefish snagging permits that were forfeited during the paddlefish snagging permit draw. The permits will go on sale on Monday, Aug. 19, at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time, and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Twenty permits are …

Last week I wrote a blog about all of the high water and flooding we have seen in the state this year and the many impacts that will have on our aquatic resources and fish populations (Water, water everywhere).  I am not going to re-hash that blog here, you can read it if you want to know the many negative, and positive benefits we will realize from all the water we have had this year. No, in this blog post …

Heading over tomorrow to be on my buddy Greg Wagner’s radio show.  That is nothing new, Greg has me over a few times every year to talk fishing in Nebraska.  What is new is Greg’s Great Outdoor radio show has a new home, Boomer Radio.  You can listen live right HERE, 9:00 a.m. Central Time, or catch us later on the Pod Cast. As usual when I am on Greg’s radio show, the topic will be fishing in Nebraska.  Listen, …