Olive Creek State Recreation Area and Olive Creek Wildlife Management Area in southwestern Lancaster County will remain open after a wildfire burned through both areas Oct. 23. Visitors should proceed with caution and be on the lookout for hazardous trees and potential hot spots in the burned areas. The boat ramp and campgrounds were not damaged in the fire. Users should be mindful of boundaries, however, as border fences and signs have not yet been replaced. Download the state recreation …

The Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area boat ramp access road will be closed starting Wednesday, Oct. 26, until further notice so work on the boat ramp may begin. The ramp has suffered significant erosion caused by water and wave action that must be addressed before further damage occurs. Repair work is expected to take one to two weeks depending on weather conditions. All other access points to the wildlife management area just southwest of Lincoln are open. For more information, …

Kissinger Wildlife Management Area is temporarily closed effective immediately due to the presence of two endangered whooping cranes. The area will remain closed until further notice by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Kissinger WMA is about 1 mile north of Fairfield in Clay County. The closure is a standard procedure for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission once whooping cranes are confirmed on a property owned or managed by the agency. The property will be monitored for activity. “We …

Segments of the Fremont State Recreation Area, including some campsites, will be closed starting Oct. 16 for hazardous tree removal and tree trimming. Between the evening of Oct. 16 and Oct. 23, the southwest entrance to the park will be closed, as will the gate at the west entrance and some access roads. Campsites 1-97 and 200-203 at the Pathfinder Campground and 208-224 at the Victory Campground sites will be closed during this timeframe, as trees are trimmed or removed …

By Renae Blum, Nebraska Game and Parks CommissionSome of the best views in the state can be found along a trail at Nebraska’s state parks. Whether you’re exploring a shady pine forest or trekking to a scenic overlook, these trails are worth seeking out for the adventure – and beauty – they hold. Indian Cave State Park Hike Trail 8 at the thickly forested Indian Cave State Park to reach a ridgetop overlooking the Missouri River. Stop to take in …

Fish salvage along the Sutherland Canal system near North Platte will not be permitted at this time due to potentially unsafe conditions while maintenance is performed on canal structures. Nebraska Public Power District is currently performing canal structure inspections and repairs between Lake Ogallala and Lake Maloney state recreation areas, which necessitates caution. To allow for inspections, water is drawn down in sections and held behind gated water-control structures, known as checks. Staff, contractors and others are not permitted to …

The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, the Platte Valley Weed Management Area and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are collaborating on an effort to control noxious weeds and encroaching vegetation on the Lake McConaughy lake bed during this time of low water. Spraying is expected to begin within days of Sept. 30 on the south side of Lake McConaughy from Kelly Bay to Clear Creek and on the north side from Sand Point to Clear Creek, between elevations 3,265 to 3,250 feet. Work is expected to take a couple …

Extremely low water levels and underwater hazards have limited access to the lake and challenged boaters at Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area near Burwell. Several ramps have closed or have restrictions due to low water and underwater sand movement. The reservoir currently is at 41% capacity, which is the second lowest level on record. These conditions, in addition to wave action and power loading of boats onto trailers, have led to a large sand ridge forming in front of the …

The Marina Bay boat ramp at Sherman Reservoir near Loup City will be closed starting at 7 a.m. Sept. 19 until further notice so immediate repairs can be made. Low water levels in the reservoir have exposed a significant settlement of the east lane, which has caused a nearly 5-inch lip to occur on the ramp. On the west lane, the ramp has cracked and needs immediate repair during this low water period. Work is expected to take one week, …

Anglers at both ends of the state will benefit from improved fisheries after the recent completion of two Aquatic Habitat Projects at Nebraska state parks. Fort Robinson State Park and Summit Reservoir State Recreation Area both saw work to improve water quality and access. In the west, the North Grable Pond at Fort Robinson was deepened, an outlet structure replaced, and a kayak launch installed. A covered fishing pier and in-lake fish habitat structures also were built within casting distance …