Fishing

Yes, it has been hot, and yes, my motivation to fish lags under those conditions.  That does not mean I have quit! I have been “around” a bit, spent some time on several different waters.  What I have found has been typical for late summer. . . . First, was some bass fishing.  I should have taken some pictures of the water I was fishing.  It was absolutely choked with aquatic vegetation.  They were not weeds.  “Weeds” are unwanted plants.  …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – West Cozad Interstate 80 Lake will be chemically renovated within the next week but is weather dependent. The rotenone treatment is aimed to eliminate common carp, gizzard shad and other undesirable fish species, which are detrimental to aquatic habitat, water quality and sport fish populations. Dry conditions are advisable for chemical applications. Recreational access within the treatment area is prohibited while rotenone is being applied. In preparation for the treatment, biologists have been salvaging game fish …

I remembered late this morning that Head To Head Fishing Pro Walleye Series is fishing Lake McConaughy this week.  Their anglers will be there all week, and you can watch the competition LIVE!  Follow the link on their webpage or pick it up on their FaceBook Page. Fishing this first day was tough, the lake was flat calm.  That does not happen often on McConaughy. The most fish anyone caught this morning was four, and there were several anglers that …

If I miss a fish, first thing I do is look at the hook.  At times the size may need to be adjusted, but always you have to make sure it is sharp! I found this on the interwebs.  It will help you get it right! https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYg-rOAJm-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link You can tell when I have been sharpening hooks, my thumbs and thumbnails look like pin cushions. Have a great weekend!  FISH ON!

Several of you have asked about last week’s renovation project at Hackberry Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge.  I was there, helped a little bit, took some pictures. . . . First of all, some context:  If you are not aware of the work being done on the Valentine Refuge, it has been cussed and discussed over and over.  Please go back and read this, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Update.  If you are unfamiliar with rotenone renovations in …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Lake 5 at Two Rivers State Recreation Area has been renovated to remove unwanted species that invaded the lake during the 2019 spring flooding, which connected the lake to the Platte River. The 9-acre lake, commonly known as the Trout Lake, was treated Aug. 17 with rotenone, a toxicant used to eliminate fish. Biologists sampled multiple undesirable fish species during post-flood assessments, which led to poor water quality. Anglers should expect improved water quality and fishing conditions …

Another one of my news blogs today. . . . Spreading the word on a news release: Summit Lake sediment basin reclamation set to begin LINCOLN, Neb. – Summit Lake is being drawn down this week for a sediment basin reclamation project at the Burt County reservoir. Reclamation of the sediment basins on the south and west arms of the lake will begin during the fall. The south boat ramp will be modified to allow boat access during construction, which …

I have had this video for a while.  Love the kid, love the fish, love the reaction.  That right there is what it is all about! https://www.facebook.com/Cabelas/videos/927973147723181/ Once again, you have plenty of time to participate in our Take ‘Em Fishing Challenge.  As if you need any other reason to find a kid, someone new, and take ’em fishing. Do it.  Do it this weekend.  Your lives will be better for it!

Time for a state record update.  It is the time of year that the spear-fishing and bow-fishing records come in. White Sucker The first one actually came across my desk a few months ago.  Brionna Schafer of Alliance was bow-fishing when she arrowed a 6 pound 6 ounce white sucker back in April.  She found her fish swimming in Box Butte Reservoir. That was a big sucker!  It beat the old bow-fishing state record by just a little over a …

What did the fish say when it ran into the concrete wall? Dam. I will let that sink in for a minute for some of you.  For the rest, let me talk about fish barriers.  You know, things like dams. There are thousands of barriers to fish movements on Nebraska rivers and streams.  Some of those barriers are natural, waterfalls or chutes.  Most are man-made and include a variety of major dams and smaller diversion structures.  Some are as small …