NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The trout lake at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Douglas County will open Saturday, March 6 for family fishing. The lake will be stocked with 10,000 11- to 12-inch rainbow trout in time for the opener. All trout caught in the lake must be harvested and not released. Anglers first must purchase from the park office a daily trout tag for $6. Each tag is good for a daily bag limit of four trout. A person …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainbow trout from four ponds at Schramm Park State Recreation Area will be stocked at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s CenturyLink Lake on March 2. These trout, which range in length from 12 to 18 inches, will be salvaged from the park’s four canyon ponds. By comparison, trout stocked in annual spring stockings are approximately 10 inches in length. The ponds are being temporarily drained so they and the spring that supplies them can be evaluated. This …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ice anglers on Hudson Lake in Cherry County are reminded that public access to that private lake ended on Feb. 28. The lease agreement that allows ice-fishing on Hudson stipulates that public access is allowed during daylight hours from December through February.

This is the second installment in a four-part series of articles on spring trout fishing in Nebraska. Next week: 2021 spring trout stocking schedule. By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Trout are more likely to be found in Nebraska than elephants. Prehistorically, though, this probably was not true. The fossilized presence of mammoth in Nebraska is well described, but trout’s earliest recorded occurrence is from stocking by early Nebraska fish culturists and enthusiasts. Previous to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Several virtual events are scheduled by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to kick off March, which Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed Nebraska Outdoor Women’s Month. These free events include a women’s career panel, women’s conservation history event, and women’s birding event, among others. Registration is required at calendar.outdoornebraska.org. Game and Parks encourages women to get outdoors and engage other women in the outdoors. Throughout March, women in the outdoors and women’s outdoor achievements will be highlighted …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Turkey hunters with limited experience are invited to expand their knowledge through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Spring Saturday Series of workshops. These free, virtual Facebook sessions, starting March 6, will help develop specific skills necessary to increase hunting success and enjoyment. Each session begins at 9 a.m. Central time. All are listed at OutdoorNebraska.com/Workshops. The Spring Saturday Series schedule, with topics, is as follows: March 6, shotgun patterning for success; March 13, decoy placement; March …

GERING, Neb. – A virtual program from the Wildcat Hills Nature Center will explore the traditions and celebrations of the spring equinox. The program will be 10 a.m. MST on Saturday, March 13. The spring equinox, which is the astronomical first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, is March 20 this year. After the equinox, the northern half of the globe will begin tilting closer to the sun. Amanda Filipi, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor education specialist …

MINATARE, Neb. – When camping season hits its stride, visitors to Lake Minatare State Recreation Area will enjoy many improvements that were made in 2020. At Lake View, the area of the park that features the 55-foot lighthouse observation tower, workers have replaced the shower’s wastewater system and upgraded electrical service to campsites. Dan Thornton, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission superintendent who manages the park, said the projects may not be obvious to the naked eye, but that they …

This is the first installment in a four-part series of articles on spring trout fishing in Nebraska. Next week: The history of trout in Nebraska. By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Ice on Nebraska lakes is typical through February, but by the middle of March, cattails should be sprouting along shorelines and fish should be moving into warming shallow water. Beautiful spring days, perfect for fishing, could occur with little notice. Be prepared to take …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunting often is a family tradition. It is for Riley Pollock. He began waterfowl hunting at a young age with his grandfather. The 21-year-old from Seward was hunting with family while participating in the second year of the Nebraska Duck Slam this past season. He completed the challenge by harvesting an American wigeon, mallard, northern pintail and a teal in Nebraska during the 2020-2021 season. Everyone who completed the Slam also received a pin and a certificate, …