open water fishing

We are in the first portion of spring on the calendar. Green grass shoots are sprouting in my Omaha, NE yard. The days are getting longer. Water temperatures are warming. The time is now to get ready for some early spring fishing action! Emma Wagner-Nichols, your blogger’s daughter, caught this crappie in chilly, sunny weather in a private sandpit lake in Dodge County, NE. Photo courtesy of Emma Wagner-Nichols of Elkhorn, NE Have you put new line on your reels? …

By Jeff Kurrus, Nebraskaland Magazine Not all fishing trips are created equal, nor do they need to be. Some are after-work, two-hour jaunts in the middle of the summer and others are all-day ice-fishing affairs where the mind, and body, are exhausted at day’s end. And while each is pleasurable in its own fantastic ways, these aren’t the only types of trips to make. Some require windshield time first. Here are my favorites. The Bite The message boards fill up …

I know I just blogged about this a week ago, but this news release went out near the end of last week: Riverview Marina, Brownville Riverside Park boat ramps reopened The boat ramps at Riverview Marina State Recreation Area in Nebraska City and Brownville Riverside Park are reopened after several improvements were completed. The erosion at the base of the boat ramps has been repaired and rock riprap has been placed along both sides of the ramps to prevent future …

Got a news item today that will not affect many Nebraska anglers, but it will some.  In fact, I heard some questions can comments about these ramps at the Omaha Sport Show.  So, to spread the news, some of you will want to know: Riverview Marina, Brownville Riverside Park boat ramps temporarily closed for repairs Boating access improvements at Riverview Marina State Recreation Area in Nebraska City and Brownville Riverside Park will begin March 13. Boat ramps at those areas …

Spring has sprung! The amount daylight is increasing. The weather will be warming. In Nebraska, there are a multitude of activities that you can do in early spring. Here are eight to encourage you to step outside. (1) View Early Spring Birds. A wide variety of opportunities await Nebraska bird watchers in early spring. The migration of wild fowl is truly something to behold! The spring spectacle of the sandhill crane migration along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska should …

Nebraska’s weather has done its usual March, Nebraska thing this week.  I say it is schizophrenic.  That, and the cold water, makes this one of the toughest times of year to catch fish from open water.  On the other hand, if you can still get on the ice, late ice can be some of the best fishing of the year.  That is exactly why I hope every year for the ice to last as long as possible. But, assuming that …

Some of you will remember the old Rapala X-Rap commercials, the ones where an extreme net man was sold with the X-Rap.  In keeping with the season, like this one: I recently discovered a video that proves that extreme net men do exist!  This net man should win some kind of award! “Are you wet?”  Ha! Might want to consider wearing that PFD! Now, all of you reading this, you owe it to your fishing partners to be a competent …

Spreading the word.  This news release went out last week: Two Rivers Trout Lake to open March 11; statewide stockings to follow Another spring of trout fishing fun is on tap in Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is scheduling the release of rainbow trout in waters across the state. This will give anglers and families, especially at city ponds and lakes, additional angling opportunities for this popular species. It starts March 11, opening day of the Trout Lake …

Total open-water fishing is nearly upon us in parts of Nebraska and anglers are organizing their tackle boxes. Chances are they have an assortment of different colored artificial fishing lures in the trays of that tackle box; probably more than they’ll ever use. But if you want to get a good discussion going about fishing lures, start one on colors. WOW!  Anyone who fishes has an opinion about the color of the lures they cast for success. So, what about …

Another spring of trout fishing fun is on tap in Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is scheduling the release of rainbow trout in waters across the state. This will give anglers and families, especially at city ponds and lakes, additional angling opportunities for this popular species. It starts March 11, opening day of the Trout Lake at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Douglas County. All trout caught in this lake must be harvested and not released. Anglers …