open water fishing

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 …

We have been sharing this video with folks who attended our virtual public meetings a couple of weeks ago.  It is a good video with excellent information; I want to share it with as many anglers as possible. Fisheries management in Nebraska, most of the country for that matter, is pretty much accomplished on a “user pays” basis.  You fund Nebraska fishing opportunities through the purchase of fishing permits and through excise taxes collected on the sales of fishing and …

I have spent my entire week answering the phone.  Almost every one of those calls was inquiring whether the spring, put & take trout had been stocked in one favorite waterbody or another.  I guess I understand, we have not published the exact dates of those stockings.  In the crazy coronavirus world we continue to live in, we do not want crowds gathering around stocking trucks.  So, the stocking schedule only says “The week of _______”. I swear, if we …

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year, early spring.  On one hand, who is not happy to see spring roll around?  On the other hand, I hate to quit ice-fishing. We get a few days of nice weather this time of year and everyone thinks they are a fisherperson.  On the other hand, in my opinion, early spring is some of the toughest open-water fishing of the year.  The water is still cold, the fish are not …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – From Auburn to Alliance, Nebraska’s beginner-friendly lakes stretch form border to border. These lakes have been designated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as family friendly because they are safe, comfortable and have great fish-catching potential. They include a combination of barrier-free fishing access, fishing trails, groomed parks, concessions, playgrounds, picnic areas, and maintained fish populations. The following are 10 of the best examples of lakes for beginners …

This news item will not affect a lot of Nebraska anglers, but I always know there are at least a few who will want to know. . . . The canal system in central Nebraska provides some great fishing opportunities.  Fish can be caught from the canal itself with water control structures or “checks” being some of the best spots.  In addition, as the canal winds through canyon country water has filled some of those canyons creating additional fishing opportunities.  …

ALLIANCE, Neb. — As the ice melts and days get longer, spring fishing opportunities heat up in western Nebraska. Whether anglers want a Frye Lake crappie or a Fort Robinson trout, Joe Rydell, a fisheries biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s northwest district, said spring brings diverse angling opportunities throughout the region. From data gathered from last year’s fish surveys and other observations, Rydell has some predictions of where anglers will have success this spring. Some of his …

By now you are probably familiar with the invasive nuisance species silver carp.  You know, the “flying fish” that jump out of the water like crazy.  You have probably seen news reports or YouTube videos of them. I found another video this week that might be the biggest silver carp I have ever seen. If you watch the slo-mo replay, notice that fish tail slaps both rods in the rod holders.  If I did not know better, that looked maliciously …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Walton “Ed” Moore of North Platte was bank fishing at the Sutherland Reservoir inlet March 11 when a tiger trout took the minnow he was drifting slowly on the bottom of the lake. He reeled in the 6-pound, 13-ounce trout, which set a state record for rod-and-reel. The fish measured 25¾ inches in length. The previous state record trout caught on rod-and-reel was 5 pounds, 7 ounces. It also was caught at Sutherland Reservoir. Read all a …