open water fishing

I am happy to report that I recently ended a slump.  It had been a long, LONG time since I dried off a muskellunge. Sure, you can comment about my lack of skills as an angler.  Not going to argue with that.  I suspect there also will be some miserable souls offer commentary about the poor fishing we have in Nebraska.  Whatever. Those of you who have spent any time seriously, intentionally, targeting muskies know that under the best of …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – As anglers, we mean to be good stewards of our environment. Sometimes, though, we leave something behind. It could be a bait container lid that blew off or a small wad of fishing line in a snag. It all adds up, is a direct reflection on anglers, and is an environmental hazard. The problem with shoreline litter is twofold. Litter is just plain ugly and embarrassing. The view of …

Heard about some boat ramp problems they had over on the Suez Canal this week.  Sounds like they finally got that taken care of. I guess it is getting to be boat ramp season!  Supposed to be a nice weekend this weekend, never know what you might see: I have discovered that there are whole channels on YouTube with boat ramp comedy!  The one above was in Miami, so no, probably no one you know on there.  The funniest part …

One theme I return to over and over again is the diversity of fishing opportunities we have in Nebraska.  I have often said that we may not have as much water as some of our neighboring states, but we offer variety! I have suggested that one fun and worthy challenge is to see how many of species of fish you can catch from Nebraska waters.  In recent years, with the micro-fishing thing gaining interest, there have been some anglers who …

In 2020, Norfolk resident Scott Buss put a long thought-out plan into action. He would travel the state and see how many species of fish he could catch — fishing public waters as much as possible. Like many anglers, Scott Buss of Norfolk began planning his 2020 fishing trips way before the year started. From researching stocking reports and fishing forecasts to talking to various anglers throughout the state, he began writing a list of where he wanted to fish. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – There is good news for south-central Nebraska trout anglers. Elm Creek in Webster County will be stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout March 31. The Calamus Fish Hatchery will stock the trout to enhance spring fishing opportunities. Fisheries biologists with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission evaluated the stream on Elm Creek Wildlife Management Area on March 29 and determined the flows were fairly high and the water clear. Several holes were found in the stream that will …

Our guys produced a short video I want to share with you.  Some recent wiper stocking: Great video!  Let me add just a couple of comments: You might notice the size of the fish was relatively large.  Yes, those wipers were approximately six inches long.  That is much larger than most wiper stockings we do.  In fact, those fish were raised in hatchery ponds.  They were raised over winter last winter to be stocked this spring. There are trade-offs with …

By Daryl Bauer Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Do you know what it means when the calendar approaches April Fool’s Day? No, it is not time to prank your fishing buddy. It is time for the walleyes to spawn. Many things can cue spawning in freshwater fish: weather, water temperature, moon phase, etc. One of the most important cues is the amount of daylight. For that reason, spawning tends to occur about the same time every year. …

It is springtime in Nebraska.  If you are serious about fishing, you are going to be on the water during some abhorrent weather conditions.  Otherwise, well, otherwise you ain’t fishing enough: Of course, if you are on the water like you should be, then folks think you are crazy: I had a day like that already this spring: The best part about it?  No one else fishing! However, this gentleman came swimming by, literally right by my feet: He thought …

It is early spring and our waters are cold.  Without a doubt I hear anglers ask more about water temperatures at this time of year than any other.  There may be some reasoning behind that, but water temperature may not be as important as some think it is. Don’t get me wrong.  I have carried a thermometer of some kind with me on every fishing trip since I was a kid.  I have logged water temperatures from thousands of fishing …