LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists are seeking private landowners interested in enrolling in the Open Fields and Waters (OFW) Program this spring. Through OFW, landowners can earn additional income for allowing walk-in hunting, trapping and/or fishing access on their properties. With more than 97 percent of Nebraska’s land base in private ownership, obtaining access to private lands continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing today’s hunters and anglers. In 2017, more than 700 private …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will conduct prescribed burns on wildlife management areas (WMA), state recreation areas (SRA) and state parks (SP) when conditions are favorable through April 30, according to Pat Molini, assistant administrator of the Wildlife Division. The areas scheduled for prescribed burns in each district are: Southeast District Cass County – Randall W. Schilling WMA, Rakes Creek WMA, William Gilmour/Tobacco Island WMA; Douglas County – Two Rivers WMA; Fillmore County – Marsh Hawk …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider 2018 waterfowl hunting season recommendations at its March 16 meeting in Columbus. The meeting begins at 8 a.m. on the lower level of Pinnacle Bank, 210 E. 23rd St. A public hearing is scheduled at the meeting for the waterfowl recommendations. The recommendation for white-fronted goose season proposes a change from a 74-day season to an 88-day season and from a three-bird daily bag limit to two. Most other …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Park Commission advises customers that Nebraska hunting, fishing and park permits may be purchased online only at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Several websites sell information about Nebraska permits and guides. These sites include fishinglicense.org; fishandgamelicenses.org; recreationallicenses.org; licenses.org; and hunting-license.org. Nebraska Game and Parks has no affiliation with these sites. Customers have reported completing transactions on these sites believing they were buying a permit, when, in fact, they purchased an informational guide. Nebraska Game and Parks offers …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The trout lake at Two Rivers State Recreation Area (SRA) will open for family fishing March 10. The trout lake will be stocked with 9,000 11- to 12-inch rainbow trout. In addition, there will be 500 11-inch tiger trout and 250 rainbow trout up to 15 inches present. All trout caught in the lake must be harvested and not released. Anglers must first purchase from the park office a daily trout tag for $6. Each tag is …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Now is the time to start planning a Platte River trip to experience the annual sandhill crane migration. Large numbers of sandhill cranes and waterfowl have begun arriving in the state over the past few days with the recent mild weather. March marks the peak of the sandhill crane and waterfowl migration through Nebraska. Approximately 500,000 sandhill cranes stop to forage in the fertile lands along the Platte River and increase their weight for their continued northward …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska anglers and boaters should be aware of restrictions on the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam because of spillway flows. Boaters are urged to use caution when water is released through the spillway, as hazardous conditions may exist. Signs located on the north and south bank of the Missouri River, approximately 500 yards below the spillway, mark a restricted area for boats. During spillway releases, boaters will not be allowed to go upstream of these signs. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hudson Lake in Cherry County will be closed to ice fishing March 1, according to an agreement between the landowner and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The private lake 15 miles southwest of Valentine is open to public walk-in fishing access through the Open Fields and Waters program. The landowner’s contract with Game and Parks states that ice fishing is allowed on the lake from December through February. Less clearly, the 2018 Fishing Guide, which is …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A new dining experience is coming to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Caddy’s Parkside Grill, located within Peter Kiewit Lodge, will open March 1. Owners Brian and Jayme Cadwallader also own and operate the Salty Dog Bar and Grill in Council Bluffs and are preparing to build a second restaurant in downtown Council Bluffs. The Salty Dog is well-known for its wings and burgers, homemade fries and other home-cooked fare. The Caddy’s Parkside Grill menu will provide …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors at Fort Kearny State Historical Park southeast of Kearney on May 9. This free workshop will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the visitor center. Fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct youth fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Nebraska Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events, as well as receive program incentives. They also are …