How To

As you know we have open water early this year.  Yes, fish are being caught already.  I am also hearing questions about early open water and spawning seasons.  This discussion comes up every spring.  I have and will give the same answers every spring:  Weather will modify spawning activities a bit, but you can count on spawning occurring pretty much the same time every year.  The amount of daylight or photoperiod is the primary driver of spawning activity on most …

News release on this went out a few weeks ago and I know that many of you have already signed up.  However, I want to post a reminder and I will always make a post to publicize this opportunity: Game and Parks will certify youth fishing instructors The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors at workshops across the state in the coming months. Instructors are part of the Youth Fishing Program, a statewide team of volunteers …

Green grass shoots are sprouting in my Elkhorn, NE yard. The days are getting longer. Water temperatures are warming. The time is now to get ready for some early open-water fishing action! Emma Wagner-Nichols, your blogger’s daughter, caught this crappie in chilly, sunny early spring weather in a private sandpit lake in Dodge County, NE. Photo courtesy of Emma Wagner-Nichols of Elkhorn, NE Have you put new line on your reels? Have you gone through your tackle box yet? Sharpened …

From what I am hearing, you better go fishing this weekend.  Things are getting a little tense at the tackle shop: Seriously, I know it is “spring” and we all have the itch.  Also know that it is very early spring and just this week our weather has been erratic.  That is going to happen about 136 times in the next couple, three months.  We all want to be on the water hooking fish, and are getting tired of wandering …

As soon as our ice season came to its unfortunate early end, my phone started ringing.  “When will you be stocking trout?” About the same time every year, March. And now we have a schedule: Two Rivers Trout Lake to open March 9; statewide stockings to follow Spring has come early and Nebraskans are eager to fish. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is scheduling the release of rainbow trout in waters across the state this spring. This will give …

We have open water exceptionally early this year, some exceptionally warm weather too.  That means folks want to fish!!!!! Before you head out, know that in at least some parts of the state, water levels are low and you might have some access challenges.  These news items have been making the rounds recently and I am going to spread the word some more: Low water affecting Nebraska boaters this spring People planning to launch boats in Nebraska this spring should …

By: Brian Peterson and Greg Wagner Brian Peterson is a wildlife biologist at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) and coordinates the M.S Biology Online Program. His research focus is white-tailed deer antler metrics.  He is also an avid hunter and outdoor enthusiast. If you observed or harvested a deer, it is usually obvious that the buck’s antlers belong together based on their similar size, configuration and how they are situated upon the skull. Did you know? Deer antlers …

It is that time of year again.  Everyone starts getting the spring fever about this time.  At the least we can get together and talk about it! I will be. Click on the logo for more information. Bring the family and stop by.  Our Nebraska Game & Parks Commission booth will be in the middle of it all.  Come ask questions, pick up some information, look at pictures, tell a story or two, listen to a few. Sure, come take …

This news release has been making the rounds: Game and Parks to host fly-tying workshops in March Anglers can learn the basics of fly tying that will prepare them to catch trout and panfish this spring. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host fly-tying workshops March 6 and 10 at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Members of the Cornhusker Fly Fishers Club will teach the two sessions, which are at 6 p.m. March 6 and 2 p.m. …

Don’t kid yourself, we are still in the chilly grips of winter. However, the length of daylight is increasing. Deer have begun shedding their antlers. Some sandhill cranes have arrived already along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska. It is calving season on ranches in the Nebraska Sandhills. These are all indicators that spring is just around the bend. For those of us who spring wild turkey hunt, our thoughts are drifting to the woods where we stake our blinds …