LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in June. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. June 1 – Underwater spearfishing season begins at Box Butte Reservoir and on private waters June 1 – National Trails Day, Indian Cave State Park (SP), Shubert June 1 – DeSoto Bend Bow Fishing Mentor Program, DeSoto and Boyer Chute national …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fishing season is here, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has lined up a series of events for anglers of all ages. Community Fishing Nights, formerly known as Family Fishing Nights, are held at lakes and ponds across the state. They are designed to introduce or reintroduce families and individuals to fishing. At these events, Game and Parks staff and certified fishing instructors teach people of all ages who have never been fishing or haven’t fished …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Portions of the Cowboy Trail have reopened to public use following historic flooding that washed away surfacing and damaged bridges along the trail in March. The trail is now open from Valentine to O’Neill, with the exception of a small area near Long Pine. Additionally, several short stretches of the trail are open between O’Neill and Norfolk. Those who wish to use the trail can view specific information about open and closed portions at https://maps.outdoornebraska.gov/Trails/. The Nebraska …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans are urged to not drink alcohol while operating a boat during the Memorial Day weekend, warns the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Boat operators can become impaired with less alcohol than motor vehicle drivers due to heat and dehydration. In Nebraska, it is unlawful to operate a motorboat with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater. Doing so constitutes Boating Under the Influence (BUI), which carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine, up …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A waterless boat cleaning station recently was installed at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area’s Weigand Marina. Lewis and Clark Lake is infested with zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species. This new equipment, called a CD3 cleaning station, allows boaters to clean, drain and dry their crafts upon leaving the lake to prevent the spread of invasives to other water bodies. The CD3 unit is located in the same parking lot as the fish cleaning station, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – No boat ramps are usable in Nebraska along the Missouri River from Interstate 80 to the Kansas border. The river is running high and flood warnings remain in effect for portions of the Missouri from Burt County to the southern border. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission crews recently assessed most of the river boat access. Their findings: From Fort Randall Dam (South Dakota) to Lewis and Clark Lake, Sunshine Bottoms, Verdel Landing WMA, Running Water, and Santee …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With the assistance of a trusted partner, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will begin treating ash trees at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park this month to minimize potential damage of the emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB was detected at Lakeside Campground in June 2018, with no further sightings at Mahoney or other state parks since then. To slow potential spread of the pest, Commission staff will begin treating trees with an approved pesticide. The pesticide has …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will receive $34,940 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the Trout in the Classroom project. Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program that allows students to learn about aquatic resources within a framework of hatching and raising rainbow trout. Nebraska’s Trout in the Classroom program began in 2013 with three pilot schools and has expanded to 92 schools with the assistance of Trust funding. Schools set up a cool-water …

GRETNA, Neb. – The Schramm Education Center – a fully renovated and greatly expanded iteration of the former Aksarben Aquarium – will hold a grand opening celebration on May 18. Admission to the center will be free during the grand opening event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new education center at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna opened for daily use on May 1. Since then, hundreds of visitors have enjoyed the new …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Eligible landowners may apply for one 2019 Nebraska elk hunting permit during the May 20 – June 7 application period. To download an application form, regulations and hunting unit descriptions, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/huntingseasons. Big game hunters should be aware of a new process for awarding draw permits starting this year. Applicants for deer, antelope and elk draw permits who supply valid email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Applicants not providing valid email addresses will …