NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal, Nebraska, will be closed to visitors until further notice due to upcoming expected high air temperatures in the area. Trout have been experiencing some health issues as the water to the facility has been warming. Warm water holds less oxygen, which is crucial to trout production. Additional stressors could further compromise fish health, prompting the decision to close visitation to this popular Antelope County destination. “Game and Parks and the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Big Game Society, which raises money through membership dues and its fundraising spring auction and dinner, donated $27,000 to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on July 13. NBGS President Justin Hertzel, Secretary Jim King and board members Aaron Baumann and Tom King made a check presentation to Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas. The check represented the sale of the Nebraska Resident Elk tag to the highest bidder. Additional funds raised are earmarked for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for a 2021 bighorn sheep lottery permit through Aug. 6. Only Nebraska residents are eligible. Apply at a Nebraska Game and Parks office or at outdoornebraska.org. A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. The 2021 bighorn sheep season is Nov. 30 – Dec. 22. The permit will be drawn Aug. 27.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The cause of a fish die-off at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska’s largest reservoir, remains inconclusive. Fisheries biologists from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are investigating a die-off, in which approximately 1,000 dead fish were discovered on the west half of the reservoir. Adult white bass comprised 99% of those fish. Point-source pollution – any single source from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe – does not appear to be a factor, and water quality parameters …

LINCOLN, Neb. – For a touch of holiday cheer at a beautiful park, bring the family to Indian Cave State Park on July 16-17 for the 8th Annual Campfire Christmas in July. Traditional holiday activities include visits with Santa, lighted Polar Express hayrack rides, a Yule log quest, holiday crafts and a Christmas-themed outdoor movie. Try your hand at the antler toss, snowball toss and horseshoes, and snack on tin roof sundaes, chili dogs and root beer floats. Other activities …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Wetlands are diverse habitats that are great tools for teaching about Nebraska’s aquatic spaces. Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in an educator workshop about the Wonders of Wetlands at 9 a.m. July 22 in Lincoln. Participants will gain resources through Project WET’s The Wonders of Wetlands Curriculum, which is designed for formal and informal educators in grades K through 12, that will help define wetlands, their functions and how people are active in them. Participants …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Duck hunters must choose between two daily bag limits when they register for their Harvest Information Program number this year. Nebraska and South Dakota are entering a new “two-tier” program starting with the 2021-2022 regular duck season. Tier I is the current traditional six-duck bag limit with species and sex restrictions. Tier II is a three-duck bag limit with no species or sex restrictions. HIP registration begins Aug. 1. When hunters go to register, they will be …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The body of a 16-year-old Madison, Nebraska, boy was recovered from Lake Yankton at about 8:30 p.m. on July 4 by first responders from Nebraska and South Dakota. At 3:22 p.m., the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a juvenile male drowning at the lake. Five Nebraska conservation officers responded, along with a Cedar County Sheriff’s deputy, U. S. Corps of Engineers park rangers and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks conservation officers. It …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is encouraging the public’s participation in its annual summer turkey survey July 1-Aug. 31. The survey provides useful estimates about annual production by wild turkey hens and how many poults, or young turkeys, survive the summer brood-rearing period. These records and observations inform management decisions regarding wild turkeys. During the months of July and August, survey participants may report all turkey observations they make. Visit outdoornebraska.gov/turkeybroodsurvey for instructions and the survey link. The …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Director Jim Douglas recently was honored with the Sagamore of the Forest, Fields and Streams award for his contributions to the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA), as well as for his leadership of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Keith Warnke, president of MAFWA and director of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, presented the award at a ceremony Tuesday in recognition of Douglas’ leadership with the organization for the past 10 years and …