LINCOLN, Neb. – Rockford Lake in Gage County remains on health alert. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in the lake. Visitors to Rockford Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the water and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider a staff recommendation to authorize one auction and one lottery permit for the 2019 bighorn sheep season when it meets Aug. 16 in Valentine. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Niobrara Lodge, 803 E. U.S. Hwy. 20. St. In other business, a public hearing will be held for input regarding the potential listing and delisting of state threatened and endangered species within District 6 (north-central Nebraska). …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Challenge yourself to harvest four upland bird species and complete a Nebraska Upland Slam. The Nebraska Upland Slam encourages hunters to try to take a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chicken and northern bobwhite in the state. The Slam is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever. “Hunters have long known Nebraska to be an upland bird hunter’s paradise, the mixed bag capital,” said Game and Parks Director Jim …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Bring the whole family to the range this summer at Platte River State Park (SP) and learn to shoot. A pair of introductory workshops, held Aug. 8 and 15, will focus on archery and shotgun shooting, respectively. New and novice shooters will enjoy learning how to shoot safely and accurately from experienced instructors in a family friendly facility. Workshops will be held at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex from 6-8 p.m. at $15 per …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Rockford Lake in Gage County remain on health alert. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in both lakes. Visitors to Willow Creek and Rockford Lake state recreation areas (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The presence of adult zebra mussels in Omaha’s Cunningham Lake has been confirmed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. As a result, the lake now is listed as an infested water body. Microscopic young zebra mussels – or veligers – recently were detected in a water sample collected at Cunningham Lake by Game and Parks. Additional sampling found zebra mussels in various stages of development, including adults. A zebra mussel is an aquatic invasive species that …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A new floating playground will open Aug. 1 at Louisville State Recreation Area (SRA). One of the only floating playgrounds in the region, this new addition to Lake No. 2 offers a climbing wall, monkey bars and other obstacles sure to challenge and entertain guests of all skill levels. “This is truly a unique feature,” said Jim Swenson, parks administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Guests will be challenged, get wet and make memories, while …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun have long enjoyed the park’s rich tradition of living history. During an Aug. 4-5 event, visitors also will get to see something new for the park: an Air Force flyover and Native American dancers. A TC-135 aircraft from the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue will make the flyover Aug. 4 at 12:15 p.m. In addition, Steve Tamayo, a Sicangu Lakota artist and consultant …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Small game, particularly squirrel, is a great way to introduce youth or novices to hunting. Skills, equipment and licensing are more basic than other types of hunting. “A hand-me-down .22 rifle or smaller gauge shotgun and almost any hardwood stand of trees can offer a successful endeavor for a new hunter,” Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Hunter Education Coordinator Jackson Ellis said. Squirrel season – Aug. 1 through Jan. 31, 2019 – is the first of Nebraska’s …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert has been issued for Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Rockford Lake in Gage County. Rockford Lake remains on health alert for the second straight week. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in both lakes. Visitors to Willow Creek and Rockford Lake state recreation areas (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet …