NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Kick off the summer with a weekend of fishing. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is excited to offer such varied angling opportunities this Memorial Day. And don’t go alone. Find someone new or someone who has not been fishing in a while and take them with you. When you do, snap a photo and enter to win prizes in the Take ’em Fishing challenge. Visit outdoornebraska.gov/takeemfishing for details. “May and June are two of the best …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will receive $55,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project: New Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation. This is the first year of the award, with a potential for second- and third-year funding totaling $315,000 and $200,000 respectively. The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project has applied strategic conservation to restore at-risk species since it was federally approved in 2005. The habitat-based plan identifies at-risk species, threats to those species, conservation …

MERRIMAN, Neb. — Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area in north-central Nebraska has been temporarily closed because rains have flooded the park’s access road and portions of its camping area. The park will be reopened after the flood waters recede and the grounds are ready for visitors. Cottonwood Lake SRA, which includes the 60-acre lake and 180 additional acres near Merriman in the Sandhills, is managed by nearby Bowring Ranch State Historical Park.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Private landowners have until June 14 to enroll their land in the Open Fields and Waters (OFW) Program. Through OFW, landowners can earn additional income for allowing walk-in hunting, trapping and/or fishing access on their properties. According to John Laux, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s upland habitat and access manager, OFW is a “win-win” for both private landowners and hunters. “Participating landowners benefit from the extra income and our hunters and anglers [who help fund the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Park goers will find most of the 76 park areas in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s park system open for Memorial Day weekend. Nebraska State Parks offer fun activities for people to have fun and create family memories outdoors. With so many diverse areas, park visitors can find adventure or solitude. Some of the most popular activities include camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, huddling around a campfire, hiking, biking, watching wildlife, horse trail rides, Jeep rides, Go …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans will enjoy this summer boating on waters across the state. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges boaters to keep safety the top priority. Boaters and paddlers should not take safety for granted. Game and Parks suggests ways boaters may reduce the risk of incidents and help ensure a safe and enjoyable day on the water. Before Launching – Ensure your boat is in good running condition. Get the boat registered and, if a nonresident, purchase …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in June. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. June 1 – Underwater spearfishing season begins at Box Butte Reservoir and on private waters June 1 – National Trails Day, Indian Cave State Park (SP), Shubert June 1 – DeSoto Bend Bow Fishing Mentor Program, DeSoto and Boyer Chute national …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fishing season is here, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has lined up a series of events for anglers of all ages. Community Fishing Nights, formerly known as Family Fishing Nights, are held at lakes and ponds across the state. They are designed to introduce or reintroduce families and individuals to fishing. At these events, Game and Parks staff and certified fishing instructors teach people of all ages who have never been fishing or haven’t fished …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Portions of the Cowboy Trail have reopened to public use following historic flooding that washed away surfacing and damaged bridges along the trail in March. The trail is now open from Valentine to O’Neill, with the exception of a small area near Long Pine. Additionally, several short stretches of the trail are open between O’Neill and Norfolk. Those who wish to use the trail can view specific information about open and closed portions at https://maps.outdoornebraska.gov/Trails/. The Nebraska …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans are urged to not drink alcohol while operating a boat during the Memorial Day weekend, warns the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Boat operators can become impaired with less alcohol than motor vehicle drivers due to heat and dehydration. In Nebraska, it is unlawful to operate a motorboat with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater. Doing so constitutes Boating Under the Influence (BUI), which carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine, up …