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Just want to get a quick blog post up today and say that we’ve got ice and our ice-fishing season is “on”! My “New Year’s Day 2018” was deep in the Nebraska sandhills.  I see these news stories about New Year babies and so forth, well here’s mine, first fish of the year! No, it was not a big bass, but it was the first fish of the New Year, it hit shortly after dropping a bait down an ice …

When heading out on frozen lakes or ponds to ice fish, you won’t want to leave home without these important items. Even in a one-person ice shelter, there is room for essential ice-fishing items that you should never leave home without:  Tip-ups and ice fishing rods/reels  Ice shelter (anything to keep out of the wind)  Propane heater for cold days Spud bar (for checking ice thickness)  Ice auger Sled to carry auger and supplies  Five-gallon bucket to carry …

Yes, it is a new year and yes, we have a new Fishing Forecast and Fishing Guide.  We are still awaiting delivery of the 2018 Fishing Guides from downtown, but you can see it on-line now: The “hard copies” will be distributed to offices, bait shops, sporting goods stores as soon as possible.  Keep in mind that there are no regulations changes this year anyway, so if you have an old 2017 Fishing Guide the rules and regulations are the …

I wandered back into the office today; it was hard knowing we have ice and I should be fishing!!!!! However, one thing I need to do is tell you about our upcoming ice-fishing clinics.  Yes, it looks like we have ice and these clinics will go as scheduled! I promise, I will be off the ice long enough to be present at the classroom clinic in Kearney on Saturday night.  Believe what the “show bill” says, some of Nebraska’s best …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is hosting a women’s ice fishing workshop on Jan. 13 at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge lakes. Women age 18 and older may sign up for the workshop, which will give instruction on equipment use and techniques. Participants can lodge in Valentine on Jan. 12 or meet the group at the refuge. The workshop cost is $25, not including meals and lodging. The deadline is Jan. 5. Visit NebraskaBOW.com to learn …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Novices can learn the basics of ice fishing at three free Family Ice Fishing clinics in January. On Jan. 6, the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host a classroom clinic at Yanney Heritage Park’s Environmental Resource Center in Kearney from 5 – 9 p.m. This clinic will feature presentations by some of Nebraska’s top ice fishermen. An on-ice clinic will be held Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area …

If you have been reading my blog for any time, you know I am whacked.  That is true in many ways, one of which is my celebration of “New Year’s”.  You see, I pay no attention to what some calendar says or when astrological New Year’s occurs, meterological New Year’s, Dick Clark’s New Year’s, whatever.  No, New Year’s Day occurs the first day I walk on the ice to ice fish each year.  Now that is a day worth celebrating! …

A couple of months ago I called attention to a Jason Mitchell Outdoors ice-fishing episode that was filmed in Nebraska, Ice Fishing Nebraska on Jason Mitchell Outdoors! I was privileged to be present for much of the taping last winter, so I knew there was more to come.  Here it is! As mentioned in the video, we had the full spectrum of weather conditions while filming, “There is No Place Like Nebraska”!  Part of the time the wind blew so …

Finally!  The holiday season is upon us!  I hope you are ready, I know I am! Even the big guy in the red suit is ready! Just make sure you do not push it too soon, “Safety First”! And of course, in the spirit of the season, never forget to think of others first! Hope you and yours have a safe, merry and blessed Christmas! See you on the ice!

LINCOLN, Neb. – Landowners are invited to a prescribed fire workshop, entitled “Timing Your Fire to Work for You,” on Jan. 17 in Hebron. The workshop, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Pheasants Forever, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Stastny Community Center, 1350 Dove Road. The timing of a burn can greatly affect the outcome of a prescribed fire. Workshop participants will learn about burn timing and related benefits to achieve …