Fishing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission completed a fish renovation at Watts Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge on March 27 to address an unbalanced fish population triggered by drought conditions in 2012. Fisheries biologist Zac Brashears of Valentine said lower water levels that year caused a partial winterkill in Watts and prompted the problems with the fishery. The primary goal of the renovation was to remove unwanted fish species such as …

He has graced the cover of our NEBRASKAland Magazine.He’s a fisheries biologist who absolutely, positively loves to fish and catch BIG FISH (I swear there’s gills under those whiskers, HA!) and blog about all of it here. And, he’s coming to my outdoor talk radio show this Saturday morning, April 18th, to talk “fins, fungi and feathers?” Make it a point to not miss Nebraska’s popular fish, fishing and outdoor guru Daryl Bauer of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission when he joins me – …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors Sunday, April 26, at Gering from 2-5 p.m. The free workshop will be at Platte Valley Motor Bank, 1850 10th Street. Event organizers say the training provides the skills and necessary materials to encourage the next generation of anglers. Attendees will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. Once certified, the volunteers will have access to Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events, as …

I blog about fish and fishing, most of the time.  I try at least once in awhile to maybe pass along some tips or ideas that might help folks catch more fish, or catch & release a big fish.  I have one of those in mind today, but I am going to warn that this is going to ruffle the feathers of some of you. . . . I spend a lot of time on the water, observe a lot …

I am going to “harp” on this subject again–Wear Your Life Jacket!  This is the time of year when we get some warm weather, a warm afternoon, and everyone wants to be on the water fishing.  Or, it is time to get the boat out of storage and on the water for the first time.  Every spring I see lots of folks on the water and more often than I would like to admit I see men, alone, fishing or maybe just …

In the past few weeks I have blogged about some of the springtime field work that occupies the fisheries staff of the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (e.g. Piking, Easter Egg Hunt).  I cannot tell you everything our fisheries workers are doing, just know that spring is a very busy time.  But, I do have another activity that I want to tell you about. . . .We have crews on the Missouri River collecting broodstock pallid sturgeon as well!  Even …

If you are one of our youth fishing instructors, you have already received this.  If not, that is OK, the rest of you can read it too! Here is a cleaner, sharper version if you would rather read this, Spring 2015 Newsletter . And once again let me put out the plea:  We can always use more help, get involved, Become a Youth Fishing Instructor.  For those of you who have already joined the ranks, THANK YOU!

Children and parents are invited to participate in the Crofton Kids Fishing Clinic on April 25, 4-5 p.m. The clinic will be held at Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area, Weigand Area, near Crofton. Clinic is limited to 50 children (under 16 years old). Certified Aquatic Education fishing instructors from the Nebraska Walleye Association Kids Fishing Clinics Charity, Inc. and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will be available to instruct parents and child on casting, knot tying, bait, …

Some of you will recall my blog post from a week ago about taking quality fish pictures, Hero Shot. Today I must come clean and admit my fish-photo secrets have been revealed. “Busted!” Never fear, you can have your own “fish fingers“. Have a great weekend, everyone!

It is that time of year again and Nebraska fisheries workers are on their annual Easter egg hunt–for walleye eggs.  If you missed this, here is the official news release: Game and Parks Commission to begin Walleye Egg Collection LINCOLN — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission plans to begin collecting adult, spawning walleyes in late March. The Commission plans to collect approximately 76 million eggs to meet the 2015 stocking requests. Anglers should be aware that Game and Parks …