LINCOLN – Learn to teach youth and families the lifelong activity of fishing by becoming certified as a youth fishing instructor. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will conduct this free workshop Feb. 13 at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park near Fairbury from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to the Commission’s loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events, as well as …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved outdoor trail projects for 2016 federal funding through the Recreational Trail Program at its meeting Jan 14 in Lincoln. Funding is provided by legislative apportionment authorized under the Federal Highway Administration. The approved projects are: — City of Kearney, $250,000, to build a 5,400-foot-long, 8-foot-wide concrete Archway Trail with a 5-foot-wide crushed rock shoulder for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. — City of Genoa, $184,694, to build a 5,420-foot long, 8-foot …

LINCOLN – Bring the family to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland for the Cold Day, Warm Hearts and Family Fun event on Jan. 23. This event from 3 – 6 p.m. at Owen Marina will include archery and ice fishing, if conditions allow. Learn how to build an outdoor shelter, as well as get information on outdoor survival. Children will make winter crafts and roast hot dogs and s’mores over a bonfire. Meals and s’mores kits will be …

LINCOLN – The Discover Ice Fishing on-ice clinic scheduled for Jan. 16 at Kearney’s Yanney Lake has been canceled because of a lack of safe ice. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will not reschedule the clinic. Still scheduled is the Nebraska Fish and Game Association’s classroom clinic at Yanney Heritage Park’s Environmental Resource Center, 2020 W. 11th St., from 8 a.m. – noon. Registration is requested. Email Harold Fankhauser at harold@nefga.org to sign up.

LINCOLN – Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located southeast of Chambers in Holt County, is open to public access effective immediately. In September, the WMA was closed to all access because of a heavy infestation of Eurasian watermilfoil, an invasive aquatic plant at the lake. Eurasian watermilfoil can spread rapidly because a single fragment of stem or leaf can take root and form a new colony, and plants can grow up to 2 inches per day. Once established, the …

LINCOLN – Enjoy Valentine’s Day at a Nebraska state park this winter. Valentine’s dining specials are offered at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) on Feb. 12 – 14 and at Platte River SP on Feb. 13 – 14. In addition, Mahoney SP has a lodging discount on Feb. 11 and special Valentine’s packages available for those who reserve a cabin or lodge room between Feb. 11 and Feb. 14. Birds and Breakfast is the theme of the Valentine’s weekend …

LINCOLN – Hunters and landowners are invited to discuss big game issues with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at upcoming public informational meetings across the state. Commission biologists will explain issues and take questions on topics such as deer management, deer damage and depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management, and diseases. Antelope and elk issues may be discussed at meetings located in areas where these species occur. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. The meeting schedule is: — Jan. …

LINCOLN – Stay safe on the ice this winter while enjoying a day of ice fishing. Follow these Nebraska Game and Parks Commission tips for safety on the ice: — There should be at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice before an angler ventures onto a frozen lake or pond. — Commercial or homemade ice picks should be worn around your neck in case you fall through the ice and need something to grip the ice and pull yourself …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider amendments to wildlife regulations when it meets Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. in the third-floor conference room of its Lincoln headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St. A 1:30 p.m. public hearing will be held to consider the following wildlife amendments: — adopt changes regarding the separation of elk carcasses and the transportation of them to a check station. — adopt changes regarding the trapping of furbearers, including trap checking rules and …

LINCOLN – The Discover Ice Fishing clinic scheduled for Jan. 9 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park has been canceled because of a lack of safe ice. The clinic will not be rescheduled. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission had scheduled the clinic for the park’s CenturyLink Lake, but the required six inches of ice thickness was not available as of Jan. 6. Another free Discover Ice Fishing clinic is scheduled for Jan. 16 in Kearney. The Nebraska Fish and …