Conservation

I hear the comments every winter, usually in relation to some waterbody or another producing BIG yellow perch.  The narrative usually goes like this, “The perch there grow so large because of all the freshwater shrimp they eat.”  Many times, the comments refer to someplace other than Nebraska, often someplace to the north of Nebraska.  Of course, the belief is the presence of these “freshwater shrimp” is obviously why the fishing is so much better “up there”. Time for a …

Our Aquatic Habitat Program has completed projects from one corner of the state to the other.  I try to note those accomplishments frequently here on my blog.  In conjunction with one of our consulting firms, JEO Consulting, here is a video of recent work that has been completed on Long Pine Creek: If you have not been to Long Pine Creek, there is quite a bit of public access there, Trout Fishing in Nebraska’s Streams.  The video highlights some of …

Unfortunately, it has been a relatively warm winter.  Yes, since the first of January, I have been on the ice a number of times; however I would not say ice conditions have been great.  From what I am hearing, that is still the case in much of Nebraska. The high winds we had a couple weeks ago killed us.  Nothing “eats” ice like wind.  The ice can withstand some days of warm temperatures, can even withstand some rain and snow-melt.  …

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you have probably heard me talk about big baits for big fish.  I particularly return to that theme in the fall, one of the best times of year to catch big fish, big fish of a variety of species. Now, it is all relative.  Yes, I tend to fish smaller baits through a hole in the ice–smaller than I do in open water.  However, the last few ice seasons I …

I have hesitated to blog about this. I am so confused. According to the latest e-mail I received this morning from the Walleye Technical Committee of the North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society, it is officially Stizostedion and NOT Sander. What? Let me explain.  Most of us learned that the scientific name of walleye was Stizostedion vitreum.  I am pretty sure I even memorized that in an Ichthyology class.  Then there was some question about that, and it …

We had some state record fish caught last fall, so I realize that it has not been that long since I gave a state record update (State Record Updata, Fall 2020).  However, it is a new year, and I want so summarize the state record fish we had last year.  It was a busy year! Surface Spearfishing One record fish was taken by surface spearfishing in 2020.  It was a 10 pound 7 ounce silver carp taken from the Platte …

Still waiting on the “hard copies” from the printer, but you can see the 2021 Fishing Guide here:  2021 Fishing Guide. Make sure to page through, we have made some format changes. There were not a lot of regulation changes.  This news release covers them: Anglers must be aware of fishing regulation changes for 2021 LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers must be aware of fishing regulation changes that take effect Jan. 1, 2021, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. …

Mink are one of my favorite animals.  It has been a while since I blogged about them.  Reminds me of a story. . . . A few years back my cousin, son and I were winding up a day of ice-fishing on a snow-covered sandhills lake.  It was the day after a fresh snowfall, one of those rare days when the wind did not blow.  Everything was fresh, clean, white, brisk, and quiet; in short, a glorious day.  We fished …

I blog about this topic every winter.  Going to again.  Tired of hearing it from me?  Listen to what some of the best ice-anglers have to say.  Oh, I am frequently told all the good biologist work in some other state; there is one in this video, listen to him! Now, this is my blog, let me offer some comments. . . . First of all, “Right on!, What they said!”  My career as a fisheries biologist has spanned a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering additional incentives to landowners who sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program, commonly known as CRP. Agricultural producers and private landowners can enroll in the CRP general sign-up through Feb. 12, or continuous CRP practices until Oct. 1. The program administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers establish a perennial cover, such as a stand of …