open water fishing

Got this note from Brandon Maahs, one of our field biologists in north-central Nebraska: Need a new fishing hotspot? Be on the lookout for new artificial habitat structures in Merritt Reservoir this year. NGPC Fisheries staff have built and are ready to deploy at least 30 modified Georgia Cubes. Years of siltation, erosion, and decay of submerged trees has reduced the overall habitat complexity within Merritt Reservoir. Adding artificial habitat, such as these PVC cubes, can help replenish degraded natural …

It is been a while since I have ventured into hard-core science for one of my blog posts.  Time to do it again. You will notice the big word I used as the title of this post.  Unless you have had a limnology class or two, you may not have seen that word.  However, if you fish in Nebraska you need to know what it means and understand how it works. Let me explain. . . . All bodies of …

This is the first installment in a four-part series of articles on spring trout fishing in Nebraska. Next week: The history of trout in Nebraska. By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Ice on Nebraska lakes is typical through February, but by the middle of March, cattails should be sprouting along shorelines and fish should be moving into warming shallow water. Beautiful spring days, perfect for fishing, could occur with little notice. Be prepared to take …

I know a lot of you have seen this already.  I am just trying to spread the word even more: Participate in virtual fisheries meetings in March LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in a virtual discussion on fisheries management during meetings March 1-4. These public informational sessions – one statewide overview and four others specific to each of Game and Parks’ districts – will provide local updates on the fishing outlook and special projects in …

Spreading the word on this: Game and Parks to co-host invasive species webinar series LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn about invasive species during a five-part virtual webinar series during National Invasive Species Awareness Week Feb. 22-26. The series, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Invasive Species Program through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will focus on a different topic each day. The webinar schedule is: Feb. 22 – Invasive Species 101, Feb. 23 – Invasive Plants, Feb. …

I am still just playing around with a depth-finder in my ice hole.  However, I realize that fishing electronics have advanced by leaps in recent years.  It is amazing what you can see on some of the “tools” available right now: You never know what you will find looking down an ice hole! Have a great weekend everyone!  Stay warm!

Anglers in Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Cass, and Dodge counties; listen up, this blog post is for you. . . . Some of you will be receiving a questionnaire about Flanagan Lake.  That questionnaire will be coming via e-mail. Most of you know that Flanagan is a relatively new reservoir in the Omaha metro.  There has been a total catch & release regulation at Flanagan since it opened.  That regulation was implemented to give the fish community there the best chance …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Each fall trout make a migration to city park ponds and state parks lakes across Nebraska. Some find their way from the Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal to Stanton Park Pond in Falls City. Others migrate to Riverside Park Pond near the zoo in Scottsbluff from Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery near Benkelman. By truck and trailer, more than 50,000 10-inch rainbow trout find new homes in 43 easy-to-fish locations around …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. — A rainbow trout is as beautiful as its namesake, no matter where it appears. But come mid-October, this fish will be swimming in city park ponds and state park lakes across Nebraska. This is a rainbow anyone can easily catch. Here is how: Fishing gear and bait – Keep it simple! Simple rods and reels are best. Fancier ones work, but for young and old alike, the push-button spin-cast …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Keep your catch of fish as fresh as possible and you will be rewarded with a wonderful meal that is the finale to a fishing trip. In mid-October, trout will be stocked across Nebraska in small city park ponds and state park lakes. These pan-sized fish offer a person the delicious main course of a meal. From the lake to the table, every step is critical in making the best of what …