open water fishing

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has completed stocking over 26 million walleye fry in the North Platte River above the reservoir and upper portion of Lake McConaughy. To help increase survival, most fry were stocked from a boat to distribute them into areas with adequate food resources and fewer predators. Beginning in mid-June, an additional 1.5 million walleye fingerlings with an average length between 1.25- to 1.5-inches will be stocked. A portion of those walleye fingerlings will be raised …

The Gracie Creek Pond in Loup County will be closed temporarily to fishing and public access as work on its rehabilitation will begin with equipment mobilization May 23. The project will continue through the summer. Angler access will continue downstream of Nebraska Highway 96 and pond outlets. This popular trout fishing pond, located at the upper end of Calamus Reservoir, was severely degraded with sedimentation during the 2019 spring flooding. During the project, the pond level will be lowered by …

Catchable-size rainbow trout were stocked in Frenchman No. 1 north of Palisade on May 12 to enhance fishing opportunities this spring. A good production year has left Rock Creek Hatchery with 770 extra rainbow trout, which were stocked at Frenchman and will provide local anglers the opportunity to bag a different species. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. Anglers are reminded that anyone over the age of …

From all indicators, he absolutely loved it! That would describe my young grandson’s first fishing expedition. I loved it, too! So, have you, the avid angler, taken a youth or a newcomer out fishing? Hmmm … You should! Well, let me tell you that there continue to be incentives for you to introduce someone new or someone who hasn’t been out on the water in a while to the lifestyle of fishing. In fact, the incentives offered are part of …

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska is May 21. Enjoy a Saturday of fishing or state park activities without the need to purchase a fishing or park entry permit for the day. Free Fishing and Park Entry Day, held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend, means anyone can explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park. Anglers must observe all fishing regulations. Camping, lodging and all other …

Every year about this time I get the feeling that everything is happening way too fast!  I look for ways to slow down the clock, the calendar, and make spring last as long as possible.  For a couple of years during the stupid pandemic, it was a slower pace because of this restriction or that closure.  This year it has been back to full bore!  Love it! I really do not have a long blog post today, nor a lot …

Spring is coming along darned slow this year.  As a result, there are a lot of anxious crappie anglers still waiting for nice weather and a good crappie bite.  Eventually it will come.  It may come in “fits and starts”, or maybe our weather will finally shift and it will be “on”. Regardless, I know the spring crappie bite is on a lot of angler’s minds right now.  Our communications staff here at the Game & Parks thought it was …

Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for another spring and summer of fun with Community Fishing Events. Community Fishing Events provide opportunities for people of all ages who have never fished or have not fished in years to learn and enjoy the activity. Rods and reels, as well as bait and fishing instruction, will be available for free. “We invite you to join us at one or several of our events to learn how to fish or to bring …

When not on a shoreline or the water pursuing fish this spring, anglers can use the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s website as a resource to prepare for the next outing. Many anglers already buy their Nebraska fishing permits online. But by spending some time on the website, anglers of all experience levels may discover something new about fishing in the state. Among the fishing-related topics to browse are: Interactive maps – Click on Maps at the top of OutdoorNebraska.org to …

Our Take ‘Em Fishing challenge is back for another year! Win adventure in 2022 Take ’em Fishing challenge Take ’em Fishing is all about sharing the experience of the sport. It’s about the excitement of feeling the tug of the line in your fingers for the first time. About the sound of someone’s first catch — big or small. It’s about the memories made. And the adventures to come. Participants in the 2022 Nebraska Game and Parks fishing challenge will …