LINCOLN – Work has begun on improvements to the Main Landing boat launch facility at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area (SRA). Visitors will find construction equipment entering the Main Landing boat launch and Willow Cove Campground areas over the next several months. A new concrete ramp, boat dock and breakwaters will be built this summer and fall as water levels recede. In preparation for that construction, the delivery of rock rip-rap has started. The new boat ramp will be built …

LINCOLN – Applications may be made for Nebraska paddlefish snagging permits July 1-14. Snagging of paddlefish and nongame fish is permitted Oct. 1-31 in the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam west of Yankton, S.D., downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734, west of Sioux City, Iowa. All inland waters in Nebraska are closed to paddlefish harvest. There are 1,520 permits authorized for residents and 80 for nonresidents. The application fees of $21 …

LINCOLN – Visitors to seven state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on Independence Day, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Those visitors should always use caution when lighting fireworks. Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny SRA near Kearney, Memphis SRA near Memphis, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee SRA near Emerald and Wagon Train SRA near Hickman will permit fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on …

LINCOLN – Hunters have until July 3 to apply for a 2015-2016 multispecies lottery permit. Two types of permits are available: Super Tag and Combo. The Super Tag permit is valid in 2015 and 2016 for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons. One Super Tag permit …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in July: June 29-July 2 – Outdoor Adventure Camp for ages 6-15, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 402-471-6141 July 1 – Archery fishing of game fish is allowed statewide through Dec. 31 July 1 – Underwater spearfishing of game fish allowed in specific waters through Dec. 31 (see page 22 of 2015 Fishing Guide) July 1-4 – Western and Wildlife …

LINCOLN – Anglers who fish at Sandy Channel State Recreation Area (SRA) in Buffalo County will soon have improved fishing access at three of the most popular lakes on the area. Lakes No. 2, No. 4 and No. 8 all have projects slated to improve shoreline access and boat access. Lake No. 8, the largest lake on the area, will have a handicap-accessible fishing pier installed, and more than 500 feet of shoreline will be cleared of brush and reshaped …

LINCOLN – Bring the family to the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln on June 13 for a fun day of free archery and other activities. “Take Aim at Summer” is an event for people of all ages and experience levels who want to learn or practice archery skills. It will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The indoor and outdoor archery ranges will be open, and there also will be 3-D archery, aerial archery, tomahawk throwing …

LINCOLN – The new boat launch facility at Burchard Lake in Pawnee County is now open for public use. Recent rains in the area have increased water levels to near conservation pool, allowing for boat launching from the new ramp. An aquatic habitat rehabilitation project was completed at Burchard in 2013. The lake was drawn down 11 feet during the project so the outlet structure could be repaired, while maintaining the high-quality fishery. The lake has been filling slowly since …

LINCOLN – An aquatic habitat project began this month at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge to address the lakes’ presence of common carp and their passage through water control structures. Engineers designed improvements to the control structures below Watts, Hackberry, Dewey, Whitewater, Clear, Willow and Pelican lakes. These new structures are designed to limit upstream fish passage and help control high densities of carp in these lakes. In addition, West Long Lake will have some earth fill added to the existing …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will use $10,000 in funding from a grant program for continued development and management planning for the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail. Game and Parks received the award under the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s (RTC) newly launched Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund. The fund supports organizations and local governments that are implementing projects to build and improve rail-trails. Three different projects across the United States were funded. “We will use the funds to engage …