Large Channel Catfish Stocked in Select Urban and Parks Waters

LINCOLN – Young anglers in the Omaha, Lincoln and Kearney areas have a chance to catch some larger stocked channel catfish this summer. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently planted some catfish 5 pounds and larger in those areas.

Lake Halleck in Papillion and Bowling Lake in Lincoln each received 60 of the large channel catfish, while Fort Kearny State Recreation Area’s Lake No. 6 received 30.

“There are limited numbers of these fish that can be produced in Nebraska state fish hatcheries, so waters that provide easy fishing opportunities for kids were selected for these stockings,” said Daryl Bauer, Game and Parks’ fisheries outreach program manager.

Game and Parks encourages adults to give the young anglers an opportunity to catch these fish.

“Catfish are very releasable and can be caught again and again,” Bauer said. “These fish should be willing to bite a variety of stinky catfish baits. Take a camera for pictures on the water and then release these fish to test the skills of another angler.”

A park entry permit is required at Fort Kearny.