Fishing

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska families fishing urban ponds and lakes will have additional angling opportunities as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is stocking hybrid bluegill in 11 bodies of water. In total, 8,500 fish – a bluegill/green sunfish cross – will be stocked in May in the following bodies of water: Fort Kearny State Recreation Area Lake No. 6, Kearney; Weeping Water Park Pond, Weeping Water; Humboldt City Park Lake, Humboldt; Stanton Lake, Falls City; Fairgrounds Lake, Auburn; Steinhart …

I believe we should call ’em fisheries conservation permits rather than “fishing” permits! The stewardship of our state’s fisheries resources is very much “user pay” in Nebraska.  Money from the sale of fishing permits and excise taxes on boating and fishing equipment is THE funding used to take care of Nebraska’s fisheries resources.  Hunters, trappers and anglers have been, and continue to be, the original conservationists, and I thank you! Now, you got the permit, it is the weekend, GO FISH! …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Residents and visitors of Johnson Lake should be aware of a seining operation this week to remove common carp from the lake. Johnson Lake Development Inc. has hired Jeff Riedemann, a commercial seine operator from Cambridge, Minnesota, to deploy a seine from a boat to capture and remove carp from the south-central Nebraska lake. Any seined game fish must be immediately released unharmed back into the water. The seining operation, which should not last more than a …

I like to post a lot of fish pictures on my blog–I cannot get enough of big fish pictures and I have learned there are a lot of other folks that think the same way.  One other purpose in doing that is to again let folks know that our Nebraska fisheries workers are always busy, always doing something, and our fisheries biologists spend a lot of time in the field handling a lot of fish.  No, we do not necessarily …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The boat ramp at Buckskin Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is closed temporarily through the remainder of May. The existing boat ramp will be replaced and concrete parking pads will be added by the end of the month. Anglers are encouraged to use Powder Creek Reservoir in Dixon County, Chalkrock Lake WMA in Cedar County, or Kramper Lake in Dakota County as alternatives until construction is complete. Buckskin Hills WMA is located 5 miles southwest of Newcastle …

Just a quick news item to blog about today, and I know it will not impact a lot of Nebraska anglers, but it will impact some. . . . In recent years we have made some boat ramp and angler access improvements on interstate lakes.  There are always some unexpected challenges with any project, and sometimes things just do not come out quite right the first time. Hershey I-80 Lake is a long-time favorite of mine, have spent a lot …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska is May 20. 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 …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Jeffrey Lake Wildlife Management Area boat ramp will close temporarily as the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID) begins dredging operations on or about May 1. While the ramp will close during the three months of dredging, the area will remain open to public access. Sediment has accumulated in the lake’s basin, which has restricted boat travel from one end of the lake to the other. Dredging will improve boat travel and aquatic habitat …

He is adorable. He is unpredictable. He is often impatient. He is moving almost nonstop from morning to night. And, from all indicators, he absolutely loved his first fishing experience! He is my grandson, 17-month old Jackson Edward Wagner. For young kids, exposure to something means everything. It’s the make up of young children to touch the very things in their environment that even their parents find somewhat squeamish. University of Chicago research shows that touch is one of the most important senses for developing children because it helps …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Area youth are invited to join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Valentine Lions Club for a kids’ fishing clinic at the Valentine State Fish Hatchery on May 6. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the clinic starts at 10 a.m., rain or shine. Free rod/reel combos provided by the Nebraska Walleye Association and donations from other local sponsors will be handed out to the first 75 registrants. In the morning, participants will learn about knots, …