LINCOLN, Neb. – Medicine Creek Reservoir’s Trail 4 boat ramp has been closed temporarily due to receding water from irrigation releases. The ramp should be back in service in September or October, depending on inflows back into the Frontier County reservoir after releases are shut down. “The closing of this ramp is typical for this time of year with irrigation releases from the reservoir,” said Aric Riggins, southwest regional park superintendent for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “It happens …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, has been issued at Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County and Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County. Visitors to Bluestem and Willow Creek state recreation areas should avoid full-body contact activities that could lead to swallowing water, such as swimming, wading, skiing or jet skiing. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Limited overnight lodging at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Peter Kiewit Lodge and the Fort Robinson State Park Lodge will return July 30. This is part of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s continuing effort to restore park opportunities and amenities while protecting the public and staff from the spread of COVID-19. Starting July 30 and continuing until further notice, lodge rooms will be available for rental for Thursday, Friday or Saturday night stays, with Sunday checkouts. …

By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission A well-tied fishing knot can make the difference between a great day and heartbreak. For a new angler, landing a nice fish knowing the hook is secured by a strong knot is a satisfying feeling. On the other hand, losing that same fish with a subpar knot is disappointing – and unnecessary. Beginner anglers only need to learn how to tie a few knots, but they need to know how and why …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn about nature with your family by participating in a series of Family Nature Night events in Norfolk. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host six events on select Thursdays in July, August and September. Each Family Nature Night will be at 6 p.m. at a Norfolk city park and highlight the unique nature-related opportunities of those outdoor spaces. Participants are encouraged to wear a mask and must maintain 6-foot distancing. These events are free, however …

LINCOLN, Neb. – If you like trivia and wildlife, come join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a free virtual trivia night at 6:30 p.m. July 21 This virtual, kid-friendly trivia night is a great way to show off or pick up knowledge on Nebraska wildlife. This event is free, but registration is required at fal.cn/WildlifeTrivia. Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information, or check out the Facebook pages for Game and Parks and Nebraska Project WILD.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Northeast Nebraska educators are invited to participate in two Nebraska Game and Parks Commission workshops this summer focusing on engaging children in science, math, nature and outdoor learning. The workshops will provide participants with knowledge and resources to incorporate lessons into their existing curriculum as well as develop new lessons. Each free workshop will take place at 6 p.m. at the Elkhorn Valley Museum in Norfolk. Registration is required, and each workshop is limited to 20 participants. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rock Creek Lake will be drawn down over the next few months in preparation for a fish renovation. The project at the Dundy County lake aims to improve water quality and sportfish potential by eliminating gizzard shad. When the water level is down, cedar trees will be used to build fish habitat structures in the lakebed. Rotenone will be applied this fall to remove undesirable fish. Sport fish will be restocked as the lake refills before winter. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Buckshot Bay boat ramp at Calamus State Recreation Area near Burwell will be closed temporarily Monday, July 13 to repair the dock damaged by a weekend storm. The ramp is expected to reopen by mid-afternoon. Additionally, the storm damaged some trees at Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area near Loup City. Visitors are asked to use caution when visiting Fisherman’s Bridge and Trail 11 areas at Sherman Reservoir. Park staff will be working in these areas Monday …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, has been removed at Wagon Train Lake in Lancaster County. Samples taken by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy earlier this week at Wagon Train Lake were below the health alert threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae. Lakes with beaches and those that allow power boating are tested …