LINCOLN, Neb. — Lake Minatare State Recreation Area remains closed to the public until the cause of a recent waterfowl die-off can be determined. The decision by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was made out of the abundance of caution for human and animal health. Results from the test are expected by March 26, and information will be released when it becomes available at OutdoorNebraska.org. Staff immediately responded to the March 12 report and have been collecting the waterfowl …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The new restaurant at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, The View at Mahoney, will open April 1 and feature an Easter buffet April 4. For the month of April, guests who enter the park only to eat at restaurant will not be required to have a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission park entry permit. The View at Mahoney, located inside Peter Kiewit Lodge, will have a main menu, fine dining menu and kids menu. A gluten-free menu …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s release of duck and coot season dates was unclear after being approved at a March 17 meeting. To clarify, the 2021-2022 Nebraska duck and coot hunting season is: Zone 1: Oct. 16-Dec. 28; Zone 2: Oct. 9-Dec. 21 in Low Plains zone; Oct. 9-Dec. 21 and Jan. 5-26 in High Plains zone; Zone 3: Oct. 23-Jan. 4 and Jan. 5-26 in High Plains zone; Zone 4: Oct. 30-Jan. 11; Daily bag: …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved 2021-2022 waterfowl hunting season recommendations at its March 17 meeting in Norfolk. Among the recommendations was a “two-tier” duck bag limit option a hunter will choose from for the season. Nationally, duck hunter numbers have fallen nearly 44% since 1990, and Nebraska has lost, on average, 464 duck hunters per year since 1990. A recent survey conducted by Game and Parks; South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks; and the University …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Improvements at Pawnee State Recreation Area are just some of the upgrades guests at southeastern Nebraska state park areas will find this spring. The enhancements at Pawnee include electrical upgrade to 50-amp service at several campsites in the Lakeview Campground and the Area 3 Campground. Also, the installation of a new prefabricated concrete shower house at Lakeview Campground should be completed in time for spring use. At Branched Oak SRA, several campsites in Area 4 have been …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Find resources, ideas and inspiration on how to use nature as your classroom by joining the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a virtual Growing Up WILD educator workshop April 13. This workshop will focus on engaging young children in nature through discovery and science. Growing Up WILD is a high-quality, easy-to-use guide for all educators, after-school program leaders and in-home daycare providers working with children 3 through 7 years of age. Participants will receive the Growing …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Recycling will become available to Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area guests this summer and will be fully implemented by fall. The SRA recently was awarded grants of $1,643 from the Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy and $20,000 from the Nebraska Recycling Council to purchase recycling containers that will be distributed to collect single-stream recyclables. The initiative will be a key component in keeping Lewis and Clark Lake clean of unwanted waste. “As a park manager, …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – From Auburn to Alliance, Nebraska’s beginner-friendly lakes stretch form border to border. These lakes have been designated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as family friendly because they are safe, comfortable and have great fish-catching potential. They include a combination of barrier-free fishing access, fishing trails, groomed parks, concessions, playgrounds, picnic areas, and maintained fish populations. The following are 10 of the best examples of lakes for beginners …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on March 17 in its series of virtual Conservation Career Chats. Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager Kristopher Stahr will discuss his duties trying to prevent the spread of invasive pests such as zebra mussels. Stahr, who has worked in his field in the Sandhills, as well as Iowa and Arizona, is a member of several regional and national aquatic invasive species panels and task forces. During the chat, the public …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A prescribed fire exercise is scheduled for April 3 at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area in Chase County. Portions of the SRA will be closed temporarily to public access during the exercise. The Imperial Volunteer Fire Department is conducting the training, along with other area volunteer fire departments, Nebraska State Fire Marshall’s Training Division, Nebraska State Forest Service, and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Other departments also will assist and train. The objectives are to reduce the …