By Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
When we publish trout stocking schedules every spring and fall we only list the week fish will be stocked and we note that the schedules are tentative. I tell folks that we have personnel, trucks and thousands of fish running from one corner of the state to the other during those weeks and well, stuff happens. The schedules we post are our best plans, but all of that changes as soon as there is a flat tire or breakdown.
Anyway, here are some changes to note with the trout stockings so far this fall:
Hanscom Park Pond in Omaha and Kramer Park Lake in Bellevue were not on the original schedule, but they have been stocked. Hanscom received 250 12-inch trout on Oct. 14. Kramer was stocked with 2,000 12-inch trout on Oct. 9.
The stocking of Steinhart Park Pond in Nebraska City, originally scheduled for the week of Oct. 7, has been postponed. The pond has low dissolved oxygen levels that are unsuitable for trout. Conditions will be monitored to determine if stocking there will be appropriate this fall.
Rotary Club Lake in Auburn and Weeping Water Lake are options for anglers seeking trout in the Nebraska City area. Auburn received 800 10.5-inch trout on Oct. 15, and Weeping Water was stocked with 1,500 11.75-inch trout on Oct. 10.
Go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/fishing-guides-reports/trout-stocking to access the stocking schedule, fish stocking database and a survey for those who fish put-and-take lakes. Information from this survey will be used to inform future trout management and stocking decisions.