ice fishing

By now you have probably heard reports and rumors of low oxygen levels in at least some of our sandhill lakes this winter.  When I say “low oxygen levels” I mean to the point of causing fish die-offs.  No, I have not said anything until now.  Even now I do not have an official news release to share with you.  Unfortunately, at this time, it is something that needs to be mentioned. Yes, I hesitate to bring the subject up.  …

Calendar says yesterday was “Ground Hog Day”.  That does not mean a lot, but there are some interesting little observances.  Unfortunately, I really do not pay a lot of attention to what ole Unadilla Bill says.  Maybe I should? OK, OK, a guy can hope, right? Seriously, I am planning ice fishing trips a month from now! GO FISH!

Mormon Island State Recreation Area in Hall County is undergoing a sewer improvement project that could affect ice-fishing. With the area’s typically high groundwater level, contractors must pump groundwater away from the construction site. So, water will be pumped into Lake No. 1 north of the accessible fishing pier and east along the north shoreline beginning this week. This will melt the ice on the surface of the lake where the water is displaced. Ice anglers should take extra caution …

I had something happen on the ice last week that I want to tell you about. . . . You better believe I religiously ice-fish with a depth-finder in my hole just like every other hard-core ice angler these days.  No, I have not jumped into the forward-facing sonar pool yet, but the Vexilar gets turned on before I drop the first bait down the first hole and it gets turned off just before I walk off the ice.  That …

We just had the classroom ice fishing clinic in Kearney last Saturday.  At that clinic every year we spend at least some time talking about staying warm.  You will never enjoy ice-fishing if you are cold.  Of course layering is the key and there is a lot of excellent clothing on the market these days made just for layering, just for ice fishing! Another critical part of staying warm is good boots!  Good boots are especially important because, well, while …

It’s winter. Snow has already fallen. It’s cold outside. Brrrr … But there is a no need to be a couch potato this time of year staying cozy by the fire for hours or binge watching a dramatic TV show series. Nah, not when there are fun things to do outdoors, that is! There is actually host of activities that can be done outside in Nebraska throughout the winter months. So, gather up your winter garb, here are some ideas …

I watch a lot of guys on the ice every winter.  Often I wonder what they are doing.  The other day I watched one unload, walk to his favorite spot, drill three holes, set up his pull-over, fish for an hour, pack up his stuff, walk back to shore and leave.  I am sure he caught his limit: For the record, I retired the tipups that I had since 1995. But you gotta laugh, tipup guys all do the same …

Quick blog post today; just want to give a little report on what I have been seeing on the ice.  Yes, ice fishing 2023 has been good, have been on the ice quite a bit so far this season.  Mostly I have been fishing small waters, pits and ponds.  There is no real reason for that, no real strategy.  It has just worked out that those are the waters I have fished the most.  Actually, my new year did start …

We have a full slate of ice-fishing clinics scheduled for this month.  The first of those is coming up this weekend: Space is limited for the classroom clinic, and we usually have a full house.  If you want to be there, I would highly recommend you register ASAP.  We will start simple, basic, for the classroom session, but then we can go as deep as you want to go (pun intended).  There will be folks there who know, bring your …

It is bowl season.  I love college football.  Of course the Huskers are my greatest love, but when bowl games are on, I will watch just about anyone, even Iowa.  Some games are between nameless teams in nameless places where they do not experience winter.  I suppose the break from snow and cold might be nice for some folks, but does anyone really want to get all that sweaty while playing a game?  In addition, there will be players go …