I have been on the water a bit this week.  It is fall and the “fish eagles”, more appropriately ospreys, are definitely migrating through the state right now.  While fishing, every now and then my partners and I have heard a big splash and glanced over to see an osprey flying away with a fish.  Yes, they are strictly predators of fish, yes, fish I could be catching, but they do not get a lot and they sure are interesting to …

Some of you may know that we recently started stocking some striped bass in Nebraska, again.  There is more to the story. . . . Striped bass are a marine species that migrate into fresh water to spawn (anadromous is the big pointy-headed term for fish that live in the ocean but spawn in freshwater).  Sometime in the middle of the last century it was discovered that striped bass did not necessarily have to live in salt water, they could very …

You can see the October 2014 issue of NEBRSAKAland on-line right now! Again you will find that issue packed, in fact it is so packed that it is 74 pages long! As the cover shows there is a special section on waterfowl hunting, and I want to point out a story about the “Trout in the Classroom” program. And a story on preparing and eating crawfish, and a memorable Nebraska elk hunt, lots of excellent pictures and a whole lot …

You know I am fascinated by the predator/prey dynamics that happen below the surface of our waters. I also have a streak of orneriness that runs in my blood. I think I could have a lot of fun with this: Have a great weekend everyone.  Keep an eye out for “land sharks”.

Well, it rained again here in Lincoln last night–A LOT.  Pretty sure these tips are going to be relevant for a lot of waters in Nebraska in the next few days. . . . First of all, high and rising water tends to move fish towards the banks, up into newly flooded habitat.  In some cases the fish will move right to the water’s edge even though that edge might now be a lot farther up the bank. With heavy …

I have had a lot of phone calls, e-mails and messages asking about our fall trout stockings, and I have been telling folks that when we knew we would let everyone else know.  Well, here it is! First a “disclaimer” or two:  The schedule for these stockings depends on a lot of man-power, fish, and equipment logistics.  There are 52 water bodies in the list that follows, 75-some thousand catchable-size rainbow trout, and personnel and equipment from at least two fish …

One thing I love about my job is I hear a lot of fishing reports and fish stories.  I never get tired of them, especially if there are some pictures to go along with them.  One hit my computer yesterday, and I have to share it with you.  In fact I will do some editing, but let you read the message that Tyler E. sent to me: Howdy Mr. Bauer, I thought you might find this interesting.. My friend Seth …

A fishing buddy once told me, “I would venture that both your head and backside remain trimmed in your line of work”.  Boy, some days that is so true.  In fact it is so true that I saved the quote. Our mission here at the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission is stewardship of the state’s fish, wildlife, park, and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources.  Our fish, wildlife, park and outdoor recreation resources …

I hate to keep hitting the same topic over and over again.  I know I blogged about the Lake Yankton renovation a couple times in recent weeks (Lake Yankton Renovation ,  Lake Yankton Renovation, Postscript), but I want to tell you about another rotenone renovation that Nebraska fisheries biologists completed recently. Late summer and early fall is definitely “renovation season”.  Typically, water levels are lower at that time of year and less water means we need less rotenone to treat the volume …

Every now and then on my blog, I swerve into a little “class”, even on a Friday.  Today might be one of those days. I am not a huge history buff, but I have tried to take in The Roosevelts on public TV this week.  This is another series on American history done by Ken Burns.  He has done series on the Civil War, the Dust Bowl, Baseball, and our National Parks to name a few.  Ken Burns’ films bring …