LINCOLN, Nebraska — Lake 20 at Fremont State Recreation Area is scheduled to be chemically renovated Sept. 22 to remove the existing fish population. Unwanted fish, including white perch, common carp and gizzard shad, were introduced to the lake during the 2019 spring flooding when the lake experienced severe damage. The fish renovation and restocking is the final step in restoring the lake for future recreational use. Rotenone will be applied in the lake to kill the existing fish. Because …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Construction will begin Sept. 20 at Indian Cave State Park to replace the boardwalk that was damaged by landslides in 2019. Flooding at that time caused numerous landslides and resulted in the removal of a section of the boardwalk leading up to the cave that bears prehistoric Native American petroglyphs. Those rock carvings previously could be viewed from the boardwalk that extends the length of the cave wall. The boardwalk has been inaccessible since May 2019. Construction …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Burchard Lake in southeast Nebraska is being drawn down for maintenance work to protect the integrity of the reservoir dam. Riprap around the lake has degraded over time due to ice and erosion. A 2-foot drawdown started Sept. 15, and riprap will be added beginning Sept. 27. Public access to the boat ramp and campground will remain open; however, access to the dam parking lot from the south will remain closed during construction. This project is being …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Director Jim Douglas received on Sept. 13 the national Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies’ top honor: the Seth Gordon Award. Since 1970, the award has been given to those who have contributed a lifetime of achievement in conserving North America’s natural resources in the interest of the public trust, as well as contributing to the programs of the association. “Being recognized by the Association and my colleagues across the country is …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Help Nebraska state parks wrap up their summerlong centennial celebration by attending a final signature event Oct. 1-2 at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City. Guests may compete in Baskets and Blankets: An Evening Harvest Picnic contest on Oct. 1 for a chance to win a custom picnic set-up for two courtesy of Pic’d on Purpose of Omaha or a two-night cabin stay at a Nebraska state park. Judges will look for tablescapes incorporating natural …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Nebraska Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas was honored Wednesday for his contributions to the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Nebraska. Douglas was presented the Golden Pillar Award, a tradition started by the research unit’s scientists in 2010. The award honors and recognizes outstanding individuals who are “pillars of support” or essential to the success of the unit. As a token of their appreciation, Douglas also was presented with a detailed carving of a …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — A new set of resources available to teachers in eastern Nebraska highlights the recovery of the peregrine falcon, a bird of prey pushed to the brink of extinction. A new partnership between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Omaha Public Power District aims to bring this conservation success story to students through new education resources, including: A detailed poster highlighting the family tree of 93T, a well-known and long-lived peregrine falcon who was integral to the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A fish die-off occurred this week at Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area in southwest Nebraska. White bass made up the majority of the approximately 1,500 dead fish documented Sept. 2 along the west shoreline. Other species observed in lower numbers were wiper, gizzard shard, yellow perch and common carp. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission collected a live white bass for testing to help determine stressors potentially related to the die-off. Game and Parks staff will continue …

VALENTINE, Neb. — A new breakwater planned at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will protect a nearby boat launch and shoreline. The construction project is scheduled to begin this month as workers capitalize on the low water levels at the Sandhills irrigation reservoir. The new breakwater of rock and soil will extend northwesterly from the Willow Cove area at the northeast part of the lake. Also, at the adjacent Main Area boat launch, the contractors will install a new dock …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking public input on its draft elk management plan. The purpose of the plan, which is a working document, is to provide background and historical information about elk in Nebraska, while providing guidance in the decision-making process. Game and Parks will host two virtual public informational meetings on the plan: 7 p.m. Central time Sept. 20 and 2 p.m. Sept. 22. To view the plan or register for the virtual …