Fishing

Still waiting on the “hard copies” from the printer, but you can see the 2021 Fishing Guide here:  2021 Fishing Guide. Make sure to page through, we have made some format changes. There were not a lot of regulation changes.  This news release covers them: Anglers must be aware of fishing regulation changes for 2021 LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers must be aware of fishing regulation changes that take effect Jan. 1, 2021, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. …

Mink are one of my favorite animals.  It has been a while since I blogged about them.  Reminds me of a story. . . . A few years back my cousin, son and I were winding up a day of ice-fishing on a snow-covered sandhills lake.  It was the day after a fresh snowfall, one of those rare days when the wind did not blow.  Everything was fresh, clean, white, brisk, and quiet; in short, a glorious day.  We fished …

I blog about this topic every winter.  Going to again.  Tired of hearing it from me?  Listen to what some of the best ice-anglers have to say.  Oh, I am frequently told all the good biologist work in some other state; there is one in this video, listen to him! Now, this is my blog, let me offer some comments. . . . First of all, “Right on!, What they said!”  My career as a fisheries biologist has spanned a …

ALLIANCE, Neb. – Many anglers have been enjoying the popular pastime of ice-fishing in recent weeks, even though mild temperatures have caused conditions to vary greatly throughout ponds and reservoirs in the Nebraska Panhandle. Locations that have drawn anglers include Box Butte State Recreation Area, Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area, Frye Lake WMA, Walgren SRA, Island Lake on the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Chadron City Reservoirs. Sean McKeehan, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officer, said …

Folks are always interested in tips that will help them catch more fish.  I stumbled onto this video and there are a whole bunch of great tips here.  I completely agree with several of these, picked up a new idea or three from others: Unfortunately, ice conditions from one corner of Nebraska to the other are very mixed.  Yes, there has been some safe ice, but even then I am hearing of thin or even open spots.  And this stinkin’ …

This is the final installment in a four-part series of articles on ice-fishing for beginners. By Daryl Bauer Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Venture to a tackle shop where ice-fishing gear is on display and you will see aisles filled with ice-fishing rods and reels. The first thing you will notice about that equipment is the length. The rods are short. They are short to allow anglers to fish closer to their hole. However, if you are …

Some of you that fish ice tournaments may need a way to beat your competition to the hot hole. Or maybe you just want to get a jump on the weekend warriors? Could be you just need to beat your buddy to the tip-up? Well, I got an idea for you. . . . Notice “safety first”–make sure the ice is safe and wear your helmet. Not sure about the language in the subheadings, but I am guessing it says …

Spent some time with family over the holidays, not much family and not much time, but some.  One thing I know for sure during this whole coronavirus thing, I am safe in the field or on the water! So, I spent some time chasing roosters.  No, I did not see many, but some.  I did see a lot in a few spots where I could not hunt, naturally, but it is great knowing they are there!  Anyway, I finally was …

Yes, the stinkin’ coronavirus is still around, but we are planning to have ice-fishing workshops anyway! Virtual Discover Ice-Fishing events scheduled in January LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers can learn the basics of ice-fishing or pick up a few new tips from experienced anglers at virtual Discover Ice-Fishing clinics in January. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host classroom clinics via Zoom on Jan. 16 and Jan. 19. Due to COVID-19 concerns, there …

This is the third installment in a four-part series of articles on ice-fishing for beginners. Next week: Rods and reels. By Daryl Bauer Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – To be incredibly obvious, one of the unique things about ice-fishing is, well, the ice. An angler stands on the ice, and the fish are literally below your feet. To get to those fish, you have to have some specialized gear to make a hole. I once watched three …