LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers can start planning fishing vacations or researching their strategies for the year with the 2021 Fishing Forecast, a publication available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The publication contains fish sampling data, along with a forecast of where anglers may find large quantities and large sizes of certain fish in various waters across the state. Game and Parks biologists annually sample fish populations. Some of the largest bodies of waters are sampled every year, while …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans receiving an income tax refund this year have an opportunity to support wildlife and habitat conservation. On Line 46 of the Nebraska state income tax form, 1040N, individuals may donate $1 or more of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, which helps thousands of species in Nebraska, particularly those that are rare, endangered or threatened. Tax refund donations have benefited many species over the years, including the river otter, swift fox, peregrine falcon, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Celebrate World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 by joining Conservation Nebraska and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in a fun virtual presentation about the wetlands near Lincoln. Wetlands are a cornerstone for a thriving Nebraska ecosystem, and over the years, Nebraska has redefined its relationship and commitment to wetlands. Game and Parks’ Ted LaGrange, wetlands program manager, and Grace Gaard, aquatic ecology education specialist, will help increase your knowledge of wetlands and answer questions. This hour-long …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Pete Ricketts has appointed Ken Curry of Columbus, a corporate leader in public power and customer care, to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to represent District 3 (northeast Nebraska). Curry is vice president of customer services and chief customer officer for Nebraska Public Power District, which sells power to customers in all or part of 86 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. “My role is to focus on the customer and to do the very best for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The 2021 mountain lion hunting season in the Pine Ridge closed Jan 24 when the harvest limit of four (three males and one female) was met. Season 1 opened Jan. 2. The harvest of mountain lions allows the population to remain resilient and healthy, while halting growth or moderately reducing the population size. This maintains the population density in the Pine Ridge at a similar level to that of other states that allow mountain lion hunting. For …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Beginning Feb. 1, guests can make camping reservations up to 180 days in advance of arrival for stays at Nebraska state park and recreation areas. Guests will be able to book stays for a maximum of 14 days, and will have the ability to make multiple reservations for eligible sites and dates. There is no change to the cabin and lodge room reservation booking window. It remains at a year to date. In addition to reservable campsites, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – As he often does, 15-year-old Jacob Uphoff of Lincoln used a day off from school last fall to go hunting with his dad. That October day, he completed the Nebraska Duck Slam, making him the first youth to do so this season. Jacob was excited and surprised to hear the news, his father, Blane, said. His accomplishment comes on the back of years of waterfowl hunting experience, he added. “He’s been going to duck blinds with us …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Due to deer depredation issues, Nebraska’s late season in the River Antlerless areas has been extended for residents only through Jan. 31, 2021, through Secretarial Order by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Commission’s deer harvest data, along with landowner complaints, have shown insufficient antlerless whitetail harvest in the River Antlerless area. The agency has increased deer permits in many units across the state to kill more deer and reduce the population, but have still not …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission adopted wildlife regulations that enacted a Special Landowner Deer Season and allowed the purchase of a bonus or a preference point with regard to big game hunting at its Jan. 13 meeting in Lincoln. The Special Landowner Deer Season and purchase of a bonus or a preference point were created by the passage of LB 126 and LB 287, respectively, in the Nebraska Legislature’s 2020 session. The Special Landowner Deer Season …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gracie Creek Pond, a popular fishery located on the north side of Calamus Reservoir in Loup County, was stocked with trout Jan. 11. The Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal stocked 800 10½-inch rainbow trout to provide winter fishing opportunities. The pond had been stocked with 1,000 rainbows in late October. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information on fishing in Nebraska or to buy a 2021 fishing license.