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I was going to blog about something different today, but I just heard some talk about hot Walleye bites on Nebraska reservoirs and folks having problems releasing fish that they by regulation have to release.  I do not know why this is any kind of a problem any more–we have had a variety of length limit regulations for a variety of species for a lot of years now and catch and release is a routine part of fishing!  Either by regulation …

We are past the Memorial Day weekend and officially into “summer” now.  Often, by this time, I have posted a reminder about boating safety and especially wearing your life jackets.  I may be a little late with that reminder this year, but we certainly are in the middle of fishing and boating season now–still a good time to do it. I am betting most of you have life jackets in your boat like you are legally required.  But, I am …

My buddies here at the Game & Parks Commission, Jeff Rawlinson and Aaron Hershberger have been taping some “how to” videos or “V blogs” or whatever you want to call them.  You can find them on YouTube under the title of “Nebraska Outdoors“. Aaron invited me over last week to talk fishing and they just got that video posted up today.  Might as well share it here on my blog too! Have a great weekend everyone.  Fish are biting, get …

Beaches and Nebraska – two words you don’t tend to associate with one another. Think again, though: thanks to the Sandhills, we have several natural white-sand beaches to enjoy. Many more inviting beaches and lakes can be found throughout the state. If you’re ready to explore Nebraska’s beach scene, here are a few places you should make a beeline for. Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (west-central NE) With its pristine white sand and cool, clear waters, Lake McConaughy would fit …

The high country of the Nebraska Panhandle is about as far as one can get from what’s considered to be swampland. It is, however, a place you can find a little taste of most outdoor experiences if you look for them. Among my favorite fishing excursions each spring and early summer is taking the kayaks into the flooded timber of Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area, one of the Panhandle’s irrigation lakes that have much higher water levels in spring …

If you are like me, I am ready for a much-needed escape from normal, everyday life and time to spend enjoying the outdoors.  As a busy mom with a full time job and a farm I find myself in a daily 5:00 a.m. fitness rut walking the treadmill and lifting the same old weights– blah. Longer days and the warmer weather of summer re-energize the motivation to go outside and test the muscles.  Over the years I have found taking …

I am all fishing, all the time, except when the turkeys are gobbling in the spring.  I just cannot get enough of hunting those big, beautiful Toms.  So, the past few weeks I have to admit to you that I have been fishing very little.  But, Nebraska’s spring turkey season 2016 is now in the rear-view mirror, and it is time to get back on the water!  This past weekend, a holiday weekend, was a great one to do that, …

I taught a “basic fishing” class last Thursday evening.  That class was planned to be in a classroom and I am afraid the participants had to listen to me ramble about fishing for a couple of hours.  I hope I did not bore them to tears.  One thing I mentioned to them that I want to “hit” again today is our Family Fishing events.  Yes, some of these events have already been held this late spring/early summer, but there is …

There are a couple, three, water-related, fishing, boating news items I want to mention, spread the word about, before this holiday weekend. Goose Lake WMA Open in Time for Memorial Day Weekend LINCOLN – Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located southeast of Chambers in Holt County, will reopen to public access beginning May 28. The area had been closed earlier this spring while the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission treated the lake to suppress the growth and spread of …

I want to blog one more time about our spring turkey season.  Consider this to be my epilogue blog.  Ha. My kids and I had a great turkey season this spring.  I know I say that every spring, but I especially felt that way this spring.  Sure, we all punched tags with 2-year old, mature Toms, and believe me success is a big part of it, but I just felt like I got even more enjoyment out of this spring’s …