LINCOLN – Cooperation from boaters and anglers is urgently needed to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species following the discovery of zebra mussels in Lewis and Clark Lake in northeast Nebraska. Earlier this week, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks found adult zebra mussels in a marina on the South Dakota side of the lake. Subsequently, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission found zebra mussels on boat ramps at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area’s (SRA) …

LINCOLN – Hunters may begin donating deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program Sept. 1 at 19 processor locations around Nebraska. Two additional processors will accept deer for the program starting Nov. 14. Hunters pay no processing costs for deer accepted by processors for this donation-driven program. The HHH program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need and is funded solely by tax-deductible contributions. Hunters should first talk with processors but may keep antlers, head and cape and …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for the 2015 waterfowl and crow hunting seasons at a meeting Aug. 28 in Burwell. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church Parish Center, 757 I St. The public hearing for waterfowl and crow recommendations will begin at 8:45 a.m. Recommendations for 2015 waterfowl and crow are: Duck and Coot – Zone 1: Oct. 10-Dec. 22; Zone 2: Oct. 3-Dec. 15 in Low Plains …

LINCOLN – Nebraska pheasant hunting opportunities in 2015 should be better than last year, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Upland Game Hunting Outlook. Mild winter conditions and timely spring rains have resulted in increases in pheasant abundance statewide. Spring rains also resulted in abundant cover, with Game and Parks staff reporting excellent habitat conditions across the state. The outlook is based on spring and summer upland game surveys, and conditions reported by biologists. Regional weather events that …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in September: Sept. 1 – Hunting seasons open for cottontail, jackrabbit, dove, snipe, grouse, rail, raccoon and opossum Sept. 1 – Archery, Season Choice, River Antlerless, Statewide Whitetail Buck, Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Youth, and Landowner deer hunting seasons open Sept. 1, 15 – Ladies Day at the Range, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6:30-8 p.m., 402-471-5662 Sept. …

LINCOLN – Public access to hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities in Nebraska received a boost on Aug. 17 with the announcement that the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding from this three-year, $1.35 million Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) grant will be used to improve and expand the Open Fields and Waters (OFW) Program. “NRCS has been a valued partner of …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will return to the Nebraska Building for the 2015 Nebraska State Fair with a full schedule of activities for the whole family. Popular features and activities including an indoor archery range, indoor air gun range, kids’ Nerf gun range, 6,000-gallon aquarium featuring Nebraska fish, indoor meandering stream, outdoor playground, kids’ games, demonstrations and more will be back in 2015. New this year is a second meandering stream, which has been added outside …

LINCOLN – The public is invited to an open house to see the new aquatic habitat and fishing access improvements at Burchard Lake. The event is set for Aug. 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Burchard Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The event will be held at the boat ramp on the north side of the lake. Staff from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will be on hand to answer questions. Families are invited to bring their fishing poles, but some …

LINCOLN – A health alert has been extended for Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County after high levels of blue-green algae were detected at the lake earlier this week. High levels of the algae were first detected last week, and a health alert was implemented at the lake. The health alert will remain in effect for at least two weeks. It is recommended that visitors to the lake, located on Willow Creek State Recreation Area, avoid full body contact activities …

LINCOLN – The public is invited to attend the Johnson Lake Angler Access Project Dedication on Aug. 15 at the Gosper County lake’s inlet. The dedication ceremony is set for 11 a.m. A family fishing clinic will take place from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The project was initiated by Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioner Lynn Berggren of Broken Bow and completed in memory of his father, Myron Berggren, and his uncle, Oliver Berggren. The project, completed in May, includes the following …