How To

We still have some warm days, even hot afternoons, but there have some been some cool ones too, and the evenings have been gorgeous. You know what that means? Fall is here! The fall bite is on, and this is the perfect time to combine a hunting and fishing trip, “cast and blast”, “fins and feathers (or fur)”. As a matter of fact, tomorrow is National Hunting and Fishing Day.  Our governor even proclaimed it!  So, you must go hunting …

I have been outta the office for the past several days, most of the past couple of weeks.  I have a bunch of news item updates to get to in the coming blogs.  Let me start with some renovations that are happening: East Sutherland I80 Lake’s fishery chemically renovated NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – East Sutherland Interstate 80 Lake was chemically renovated Sept. 15, 2021. The rotenone treatment used at the lake was aimed to eliminate common carp and other undesirable …

I would tell you that I have never been in trouble with the law, but . . . . There was that time I was pulled over for knocking off a convenience store.  Had three nephews and my son in the pickup at the time.  None of them were even old enough to drive. . . . That story begins as a fish story.  We had spent the day cherry-picking, hopping from spot to spot, picking off active fish, trout …

Let me give you a little update on a recent renovation that was completed.  Again, let me start with the news release: Two Rivers Trout Lake fish renovation completed 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 …

Human dimensions studies are a part of fisheries science.  Man, or the human component is an important part of any fishery.  To manage a fishery, you have to understand something about the human component as well as the fish, other aquatic creatures, and the habitat. A big part of human dimensions studies are understanding motivations.  Why do you fish? The answers to that question are as varied as humans themselves.  I say that anglers come in an infinite variety of …

Let me blog about a native fish species today.  You likely have heard of these fish, buffalo.  Nebraska is home to three species of buffalo, bigmouth, smallmouth and black buffalo.  Some folks mistakenly call them “buffalo carp” because they do resemble carp in some ways.  However, buffalo are actually members of the sucker family while carp are members of the minnow family. Recently, you may have heard some interesting things about buffalo.  Apparently, they can live a long time: https://thefishingwire.com/112-year-old-buffalo-may-be-oldest-freshwater-fish/ …

Short, simple blog post today.  Once again, just spreading the word on some news items: Watercraft access limited, swimming beach closed at Summit Lake LINCOLN, Neb. – A planned water-level drawdown of Summit Lake is underway, prompting the closure of the swimming beach and creating limited access for watercraft launching. A sediment basin maintenance project prompted the need to lower water levels at the Burt County reservoir. Water levels will be kept 6-8 feet below normal pool levels during construction, …

I have been watching the Head to Head Fishing Pro Walleye Series on Lake McConaughy all week.  Two techniques have accounted for most fish.  Both techniques are somewhat uniquely Nebraskan.  In fact it could be argued that they have been perfected if not developed in Nebraska.  Trolling has been one of the winning techniques, including trolling leadcore with big, heavy spinnerbaits–definitely a Nebraska technique.  The other winning presentation has been vertical jigging with slab spoons, “slabbing”–another technique more popular in …

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.  …

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 …