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Louisville SRA’s Floating Playground temporarily closed for repairs

Louisville State Recreation Area’s Floating Playground is closed until further notice so repairs may be made to pieces vandalized Aug. 11. The Floating Playground is made up of 70 separate pieces, but eight are damaged and currently partially submerged. Divers are needed to release the Floating Playground from its anchors to make a full assessment of damages to determine a repair plan. To learn more about the Floating Playground, go to outdoornebraska.gov/floatingplayground.

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Public areas in Panhandle closed due to wildfires

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The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is closing several areas in the Panhandle southwest of Gering to help firefighters battling wildfires. Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area, Montz Point WMA, and Carter Canyon and Montz Point, both part of Platte River Basin Environments, are closed so firefighters are not hindered by vehicle traffic. These areas are closed to all public access. The public is asked to stay away as area residents may be using the roads to evacuate personal belongings or move …

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Gering man drowns at Lake Minatare

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A 42-year-old Gering man drowned in a swimming accident July 29 at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area near Minatare. At about 2:30 p.m., the man jumped from his boat to swim and as his boat drifted away, he went under. The passengers on his boat attempted to rescue him and nearby boaters assisted, performing CPR on the man as they returned to shore. Nebraska State Patrol troopers met them at the boat ramp and continued life-saving measures. The man was …

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Mountain lion spotted on security camera at northwest edge of Lincoln

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A mountain lion was confirmed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission through video footage captured July 20 at the northwest edge of Lincoln. This mountain lion was recorded by a household security camera at about 4 a.m. in a backyard in the Air Park neighborhood. If the animal is observed by the public, or additional photos capture the animal, contact the Game and Parks office in Lincoln at OutdoorNebraska.org. Mountain lions found in southeastern Nebraska typically are dispersing young animals …

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Mayflies a natural phenomenon that passes quickly at Lewis and Clark Lake

Mayflies cover a rocky escarpment hanging over the water at Lewis and Clark Lake near Crofton.

They’re almost here. The annual emergence of mayflies at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton means the insect soon will be plentiful near and around the lake as they swarm to lights from the marina, cabins, facilities and campers. Nebraska Game and Parks asks for patience during the aquatic insect’s short-lived emergence period, which typically occurs in July or August over a very short period of time — typically a few days or a week. Mayflies are aquatic …

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Southwest state parks temporarily banning campfires

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Some state recreation areas in southwest Nebraska are temporarily banning campfires as drought conditions have triggered extreme fire danger. The following Nebraska Game and Parks Commission areas will have campfire bans until further notice: Enders State Recreation Area Gallagher Canyon SRA Medicine Creek SRA Red Willow State Recreation Area Rock Creek Lake SRA Swanson SRA Additional parks may be added if drought conditions persist. Because of regularly changing conditions, guests also should call park areas prior to arrival to determine …

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Tips to give anglers edge during summer heat in Nebraska

Five young men fish along a rocky shoreline near sunset with their poles silhouetted above the lake water.

Anglers can use all the help they can get in the heat of summer when fishing gets tough. They, and their baits, really are up against it. There is much competition in the water. Knowing when and where to fish can make all the difference for them. “Fishing gets tough in the summer because fish have so much natural prey to eat,” says Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Everything is at its …

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Bighorn sheep lottery applications close Aug. 5

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for a 2022 bighorn sheep lottery permit through Aug. 5. Only Nebraska residents are eligible. Apply at a Nebraska Game and Parks office or at outdoornebraska.org. A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. The 2022 bighorn sheep season is Nov. 29 – Dec. 22. The permit will be drawn Aug. 31.

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Float these 5 Nebraska water trails

Two women kayak in a meandering backwater of a river with grass-covered sand dunes, known as the Sandhills, in the background.

With summer sizzling, now’s the time to hit Nebraska’s water trails for a chance to cool off. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission features 10 water trails along stretches of the state’s well-known rivers and creeks. For the most part, these water trails — which cover more than 500 miles — are calm and perfect for kayaking, canoeing, tubing or even tanking. Choose a trail or a portion of the trail to suit your interests and skills. Here are our top …

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Fish kill reported at Pibel Lake

A fish kill at Pibel Lake in southern Wheeler County has affected a variety of sport fish and set back the size quality of fish in the popular fishing spot. Thousands of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish died June 21-22 in the 25-surface-acre lake south of Bartlett. High water temperature combined with a rapid die-off and decay of aquatic vegetation resulted in extremely low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. The kill affected larger size fish in each …

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