By Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
This news release actually went out a few weeks ago. I have not had a chance to mention this earlier. Regardless, the work is still to come. . . .
Windmill State Recreation Area – Visitors to this Interstate 80 park south of Gibbon will have improved fishing experiences as an Aquatic Habitat Project is in the design phase.
Work, scheduled to begin in August, will take place at five of the park’s six lakes. Aside from various habitat features, such as riprap piles and floating wetlands, project plans include angler access highlights, like Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant fishing piers on lakes 1 and 2, with ADA-compliant sidewalks leading to a parking lot. Piers also will be built on lakes 2 and 3, a floating pier on Lake 4 and jetties on lakes 2 and 6. Lake 4 also will have a new parking lot.
The projects, set to be completed by spring 2026, is funded by a $500,000 Nebraska Environmental Trust grant, Capital Maintenance Funds and the Aquatic Habitat Fund. Anglers fund the Aquatic Habitat Fund through their purchase of Aquatic Habitat Stamps included with their fishing licenses.
The floating wetlands in particular will be a new feature we have not implemented before. They should provide excellent habitat and we will see how they work!
